JP2005251218A - Touch operation type computer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize diversification and multiplication of function of an input means to improve operability, in a computer device. <P>SOLUTION: In an information terminal having a structure with a keyboard attached thereto, pointing operation along with keyboard input is enabled without moving a palm by adding a keyboard comprising keys each formed by attaching a contact detection sensor to a key top. By installing a touch detection means composed by continuously distributing and arranging, at equal intervals or nonuniformly, touch detection sensors on a linear, flat curve-shaped or space curve-shaped track, and a click switch means in a portable information terminal such as a PDA (personal digital assist), a PC card type information terminal, an IC card type information terminal or an IC card of a credit card size, capacitive input and input of a contact event are enabled by finger touch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having an arithmetic processing function, and corresponds to all computers in which operations are performed by human touch operations. In particular, information terminals that combine keyboards such as personal computers and workstations, as well as portable information terminals and small electronic devices that have multiple input items and multiple input data. It has the characteristics of. In particular, it is intended to improve operability as a portable personal computer, PDA, and IC card type information device.

  Conventionally, in the field of information processing, a mouse is mainly used as a pointing device in an information processing apparatus. This is a device that inputs a transition value to a computer by rolling a device like a hand fist on a desk. Since it is too general, detailed explanation is omitted. As a pointing device, a trackball or a joystick is used. In a portable personal computer, a touch pad by a fingertip contact input is mainly used. There are many disadvantages to these pointing devices. The mouse is easy to operate but bulky, cannot be used unless it is on a flat desk, and it is necessary to release the keyboard when performing a pointing operation during blind typing. Touchpads require very delicate finger control during input, and it is also necessary to release the keyboard and focus on the input. Most other pointing devices also require you to take your hand off the keyboard when operating. These pointing devices are mainly used for moving an arrow cursor on the display screen. Considering the two pointing devices mentioned above in particular, it is difficult to control the arrow cursor on the screen by simply operating the fingertip from the operability of the touchpad, and from the operability of the mouse, the palm, wrist and arm It can be seen that it is easy to control by using.

On the other hand, there is a PDA (Personal Digital Assist) as an information terminal equipped with an arithmetic device such as a microprocessor and a memory.
This includes, for example, Sharp's product name Zaurus, US Apple product name Newton, US US Robotics product name Palm Pilot, and Microsoft's operating system WindowsCE. It is a portable information terminal device represented by a small computer or the like. What is generally called an electronic notebook is also a PDA.
In conventional small electronic devices, IC cards, and PDAs, although they are light and thin, they are becoming highly functional, multi-functional, and holding large amounts of information, so very serious problems are being raised in the user interface. . Although it is small and thin, it has more functions. In order to realize this multi-function, the device itself becomes a mass of push switches. In these devices, for example, a plurality of push switches or a touch pad on the liquid crystal display unit and instructions with a pen or fingertip, etc. are provided for this high functionality / multifunctionality / maintaining a large amount of information. The operation is done.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a key input unit of a card-type calculator in which two contacts are arranged in a matrix on a substrate, and a film-like movable contact is bent from above and pressed to turn on the contact. However, this is an input device that presses down one key at a time, and does not include an algorithm or processing means for selecting a plurality of items by performing input by sliding a finger. In addition, the data pointer or cursor control is not performed for the purpose of sliding the finger when selecting data.
Further, conventionally, a portable personal computer has been provided with a touch pad. However, in recent years, not only a pointing device that simply captures a transition value on a two-dimensional plane but also a mouse pointing device that inputs a one-dimensional transition value has been sold. It is desired that this one-dimensional input device is provided in a portable personal computer in advance.

In the present application, a touch detection function is incorporated in the keyboard, but a touch panel having this contact detection structure is available. Further, in the present application, the combination of the touch panel and the keyboard has been invented, and the following are disclosed as representative examples of the structure and method of the touch panel.
1) Electrostatic induction type: A two-dimensional planar touch position detection method that detects a change in capacitance between when the panel surface is touched and when the panel surface is not touched as a signal change such as a frequency change or a phase change. PCT International Publication No. WO92 / 08947 Publication "," PCT International Publication No. WO92 / 14604 Publication "," IEEE COMPUTER SOCIETY PRESPORT REPORT, 'A CAPACITANCE-BASED PROXIMITY SENSOR FORWOLEARM OBJ. T. Feddema, Reprinted form PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1992 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND A UTOMATION, Nice, France, May, 12-14, 1994, "JP-A-8-77894", and the like.
2) Resistive film type: A two-dimensional touch on a two-dimensional plane that detects a voltage that changes when a potential distribution is generated on two conductive sheets provided for the X-axis and Y-axis, and the panel surface with the sheet is touched. This is a position detection method, and this method further includes an analog type and a digital type. For example, “JP-A-47-36923”, “JP-A-61-208533”, “JP-A-8-22357”, “JP-A-8-54976”, “JP-A-4-4420” "JP-A-4-15813" and the like.
3) Movable electrode method: For detecting the position on the X axis on a two-dimensional plane, one electrode is arranged at equal intervals in parallel with the Y axis, and a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the Y axis perpendicularly to it. One of them is a movable electrode, which is a two-dimensional on-plane touch position detection method in which pressing from the Z-axis direction is detected by contact of each electrode. For example, there is “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-15723”.
4) Optical detection method: In order to detect a position on the X axis on a two-dimensional plane, infrared LEDs and phototransistors are arranged at equal intervals on both ends of a line segment intersecting the X axis and parallel to the Y axis. For detecting the position on the axis, infrared LEDs and phototransistors are arranged at equal intervals on both ends of the line segment perpendicular to it, and a two-dimensional plane that detects the position and range where the light beam is blocked by pressing from the Z-axis direction. The upper touch position detection method includes, for example, “JP-A-2-53129” and “JP-A-5-35403”.
In addition, a DC resistance detection method, an electromagnetic induction method, an ultrasonic detection method, and a movable contact pressing method are known.

Problems to be solved by the invention

First, the information processing terminal, the portable information processing terminal, and the small information processing terminal normally input information using a keyboard. This keyboard is generally provided with arrow keys pointing up, down, left, and right to move the cursor. However, the arrow cursor by the pointing device is not controlled by this arrow key. The keyboard itself usually does not have a function to control the movement of the arrow cursor. However, unlike the touchpad, the keyboard has enough area to catch most of the palm, wrist, and arm transitions. A pointing device that effectively uses this area should be incorporated.
In particular, in a portable personal computer and a portable workstation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a display screen, and a CPU are integrated, and the keyboard is a component that provides an indispensable function for the entire apparatus. If this keyboard can have the function of a pointing device, a portable computer with very good operability can be provided.

On the other hand, in a conventional small electronic device, IC card, or PDA, which is an information terminal equipped with an arithmetic device such as a microprocessor and a memory, the microprocessor in the device is multifunctional, highly functional, and has a large amount of information. High integration of memory and memory has been progressing very much. Along with this, it is necessary to evolve the hardware user interface so that these inputs can be performed more efficiently with a smaller number of parts. At present, the touch screens attached to these touch screens are touched with a fingertip, and the display screen becomes dirty, and the usability is not good. When operating with a pen, it cannot be operated with one hand. When a jog dial is installed and operated, a certain degree of convenience can be obtained in the case of a PDA or a small electronic device, but it is impossible to incorporate a thin type such as an IC card type or a credit card type. Most are not.
When inputting to these devices without a touch panel and a jog dial, a single event is input by pressing a simple push key, but this does not suffice with any number of keys. Furthermore, an extremely large number of key presses are required to input many press events.
In order to avoid this, an input device capable of continuous event input is required for the electronic device by a delicate operation of the fingertip. In order to quickly input many events, there is a push key in which items are sent when the key is held down. However, as a human sense, movement of the fingertip is easier to recognize than time.
Here, as a mechanism, there is a touch event detection mechanism that is continuously arranged in a plurality or continuously on a string-like locus. By using this, this touch event can be taken into the electronic device effectively. Furthermore, in order to smoothly select a large number of functions and a large amount of information, a continuous touch detection mechanism is used by a program data pointer movement in software corresponding to function selection and a touch event detection in hardware. It is only necessary to control continuous data input and data pointer or cursor movement.
As an information processing terminal that performs data processing and data control generally called a computer, the present application includes an arithmetic device and a memory. An information terminal device, a portable information terminal device, a personal computer, a portable personal computer, a workstation, a word processor The problems are solved for information processing devices, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), IC card type information terminals, card type information terminals, and IC cards.

Means for solving the problem

For this reason, in the computer of this invention, two input mechanisms were incorporated and the subject mentioned above was solved.
First, the first input mechanism is a keyboard having a touch detection sensor on the key top, and detects the movement of the palm that touches the keyboard, thereby demonstrating the function of a pointing device. We have also invented a combination of this keyboard and touchpad.
The second input mechanism is a touch detection sensor continuously arranged on a predetermined locus, and is a means for inputting a plurality of events by touch detection of the fingertip that continuously follows the predetermined locus. Moreover, if the key provided with the touch detection sensor on the key top used in the first input mechanism is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus, it can also be used as the second input mechanism. What is common to both is a touch detection sensor.

By incorporating and applying these two input mechanisms, the following invention was made.
As a first invention, in an information terminal device comprising an arithmetic device and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
The above-described problem has been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on the key top.
As a second invention, in a portable information terminal device including an arithmetic device and a memory, a touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing is provided. Consists of multiple keys,
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
The above-described problems have been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on the key top.
As a third invention, in an information terminal device comprising an arithmetic device and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top are touched. The problem described above has been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard and touch pad by the pad.
An information terminal device.
As a fourth invention, in an information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
The above-described problems have been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on the key top.

As a fifth invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
The above-described problems have been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on the key top.
As a sixth invention, in an information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top are touched. The problem described above has been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard and touch pad by the pad.
As a seventh invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top are touched. The problem described above has been solved by having a means for detecting the movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard and touch pad by the pad.

As an eighth invention, in a personal computer comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
By providing the keyboard, the above-described problems have been solved.
As a ninth invention, in a portable personal computer comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
By providing the keyboard, the above-described problems have been solved.
As a tenth invention, in a workstation comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
By providing the keyboard, the above-described problems have been solved.
As an eleventh invention, in a word processor comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
By providing the keyboard, the above-described problems have been solved.
As a twelfth invention, in place of the touch operation type keyboard, a non-contact detection sensor is provided between the keyboard-equipped board or the key top and the keyboard-equipped board, and means for detecting the position of a finger or palm on the keyboard The above-mentioned problem was solved by attaching

As a thirteenth invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. By having means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number or length of events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, the above-described problems have been solved.
As a fourteenth invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
The switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing and the touch detection means in which the touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve or a space curve are integrated. An input device is attached to detect the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, in part or in whole, from touch points that are repeatedly touch-input along the path. By having a means for calculating, the above-mentioned problems have been solved.

As a fifteenth invention, in a PDA (Personal Digital Assist) comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. By having means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number or length of events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, the above-described problems have been solved.
As a sixteenth invention, in a PDA (Personal Digital Assist) comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
The switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing and the touch detection means in which the touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve or a space curve are integrated. An input device is attached to detect the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, in part or in whole, from touch points that are repeatedly touch-input along the path. By having a means for calculating, the above-mentioned problems have been solved.

As an seventeenth invention, in an IC card type information terminal comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. By having means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number or length of events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, the above-described problems have been solved.
As an eighteenth invention, in an IC card type information terminal comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
The switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing and the touch detection means in which the touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve or a space curve are integrated. An input device is attached to detect the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, in part or in whole, from touch points that are repeatedly touch-input along the path. By having a means for calculating, the above-mentioned problems have been solved.
As a nineteenth invention, in a PC card type information terminal comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. By having a means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number or length of events, time, direction, speed, speed and acceleration, and means for connecting to an information terminal, the above-mentioned problems can be solved. Settled.
As a twentieth invention, the above-described problem is solved by having the above keyboard or the above input device and means for detecting and calculating and also having a communication means.
As a twenty-first invention, in a card type information terminal comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, a memory and a solar cell,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined trajectory of a straight line, plane curve, or space curve is attached, and detection is performed from a contact point where touch input is repeated following the trajectory. The above-mentioned problem is solved by having means for detecting and calculating a plurality or all of the number or length of contact events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration as information to be performed.

As a twenty-second invention, in an IC card comprising an arithmetic device and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means in which touch detection sensors are continuously arranged on a predetermined linear or curved locus is attached, and contact and pressure sensing are performed from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. By detecting a signal or voltage according to the touch position, and having a means for detecting and calculating the number or length of contact events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, a plurality or all of them, Solved the above-mentioned problems.
As a twenty-third invention, in an IC card comprising a character display means or a light emitting means by a light emitting element, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means in which touch detection sensors are continuously arranged on a predetermined linear or curved locus is attached, and contact and pressure sensing are performed from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. By detecting a signal or voltage according to the touch position, and having a means for detecting and calculating the number or length of contact events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, a plurality or all of them, Solved the above-mentioned problems.
As an invention of the twenty-fourth aspect, in an IC card comprising a character display means or a light emitting means by a light emitting element, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
An input device having touch detection means in which touch detection sensors are distributed densely and densely on a predetermined linear or curved trajectory is provided, and contact and feeling are detected from contact points that are repeatedly touch-inputted along the trajectory. It has a means to detect and calculate the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, acceleration, and all or all of the number or length of touch events by detecting the signal or voltage according to the touch position by pressure. Thus, the above-described problem has been solved.
As a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, the display means has a display means for displaying a plurality of items and a cursor for clearly indicating which item is currently selected, and repeatedly detecting contact by the input device. In addition, the problem described above is solved by having means for moving the detected event information and the cursor in synchronization.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal device including a character or graphic display means, a computing device, a memory, a keyboard, and a touch pad on the palm rest portion. The above-described problems have been solved by arranging an input device having a touch detection sensor on the line segment locus around the touch pad and detecting a position of a finger touching the input device.
According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, a memory, and a keyboard, a touch detection sensor on a predetermined straight line or curved line segment locus The above-described problem has been solved by having a means for detecting the position of a finger that touches the input device by arranging the input device and the touch pad in a palm rest portion.
As a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, a computing device, a memory, and a keyboard, the peripheral portion of the touch pad is defined by a predetermined line of a straight line or a curved line. The input device has a touch detection sensor on the minute trajectory, and is integrated with the touch pad and disposed on the palm rest, and has means for detecting the position of the finger touching the input device, thereby solving the above-described problems. did.
As a twenty-ninth invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, a computing device, a memory, and a keyboard, a touch pad is attached to the palm rest portion, and a part of the touch pad Is an input device in which a part of the touch pad is used as a pointing device on a two-dimensional plane, and a touch detection sensor is arranged on a predetermined line segment trajectory that is linear or curved. The above-mentioned problems have been solved by having the means.
As a thirty-third invention, in a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory, and a keyboard, a touch pad is attached to the palm rest portion, An input device with a touch detection sensor placed on a straight line or curved line trajectory that can be visually checked is colored or drawn, and the position that can be recognized as this input device is detected as a touch position on the predetermined trajectory line segment. By using it as a means, the above-mentioned problems have been solved.
As a thirty-first invention, in the portable information terminal device, the click switch for the input device is provided around the input device and the touch pad, thereby solving the above-described problem.

Action

According to the first invention, in the information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the keyboard having the contact detection function.
According to the second invention, in the portable information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, a pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against a keyboard having a contact detection function.
According to the third invention, in the information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the keyboard having a contact detection function and the touch pad.
According to the fourth invention, in the information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the keyboard having the contact detection function, and the cursor control and scroll display on the display screen can be performed. Efficient and efficient operation.
According to the fifth invention, in the portable information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the keyboard having the contact detection function, and the cursor control and scrolling on the display screen can be performed. Display can be performed efficiently and with good operability.
According to the sixth invention, in the information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the keyboard having the touch detection function and the touch pad, and the cursor control on the display screen And scrolling can be performed efficiently and with good operability.
According to the seventh invention, in the portable information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the keyboard having a contact detection function and the touch pad. Cursor control and scroll display can be performed efficiently and with good operability.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the above operation can be performed in the personal computer which is the computer of the present invention.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the above operation can be performed in the portable personal computer which is the computer of the present invention.
According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the above operation can be performed in the workstation which is the computer of the present invention.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the above operation can be performed in the word processor which is the computer of the present invention.
According to the twelfth invention, in the computer of the present invention, the pointing operation can be performed by pressing and sliding the palm against the non-contact sensor incorporated in the keyboard.
According to the thirteenth invention, in the portable information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, it is possible to input a one-dimensional transition value by having a contact detection unit arranged continuously on the locus, and continuous data. It is possible to input a specified one-dimensional transition or scroll such as a pointer or cursor. Further, by detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal device which is the computer of the present invention, it is possible to input a one-dimensional transition value by having a contact detection unit arranged continuously on the locus, and continuous data. It is possible to input a specified one-dimensional transition or scroll such as a pointer or cursor. By detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration in which the switch means and this function are integrated, an analog input operation and a digital on / off operation can be performed without moving the fingertip by the same part.

According to the fifteenth and sixteenth inventions, in the PDA (Personal Digital Assist) which is the computer of the present invention, it is possible to input a one-dimensional transition value by having a contact detection unit arranged continuously on the locus. Then, it is possible to input an instruction for one-dimensional transition and scrolling such as a pointer or cursor of continuous data. By detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration in which the switch means and this function are integrated, an analog input operation and a digital on / off operation can be performed without moving the fingertip by the same part.
According to the seventeenth and eighteenth inventions, in an IC card type information terminal which is a computer of the present invention, it becomes possible to input a one-dimensional transition value by having contact detection units arranged continuously on a locus. It is possible to input a specified one-dimensional transition or scroll such as a pointer or cursor of continuous data. By detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor. Furthermore, by adopting a configuration in which the switch means and this function are integrated, an analog input operation and a digital on / off operation can be performed without moving the fingertip by the same part.
According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the PC card type information terminal which is the computer of the present invention, it is possible to input a one-dimensional transition value by having the contact detection unit arranged continuously on the trajectory. It is possible to input a specified one-dimensional transition or scroll of a pointer or cursor. Further, by detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor.
According to the twentieth invention, the above operation is made possible in the computer having the communication means of the present invention.
According to the twenty-first aspect, in a card type information terminal including a solar cell, which is a computer of the present invention, a one-dimensional transition value can be input by having a contact detection unit arranged continuously on a locus. It becomes possible, and it is possible to input an instruction for one-dimensional transition and scrolling such as a pointer or cursor of continuous data. Further, by detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor.

According to the twenty-second invention, in the IC card which is the computer of the present invention, it is possible to input a one-dimensional transition value by having a contact detector arranged continuously on the locus, and a pointer for continuous data It is possible to input a specified one-dimensional transition or scroll such as a cursor or a cursor. Further, by detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor.
According to the twenty-third invention, in the IC card having the character display means or the light emitting means by the light emitting element, which is the computer of the present invention, the one-dimensional transition value can be obtained by having the contact detection units arranged continuously on the locus. It becomes possible to input, and it is possible to instruct and input a one-dimensional fixed transition or scroll such as a pointer or cursor of continuous data. Further, by detecting and calculating the speed, speed, and acceleration, fast-forward processing can be performed in the control of the pointer and cursor.
According to the twenty-fourth invention, in the IC card having the character display means or the light emitting means by the light emitting element which is the computer of the present invention, the above processing can be performed by using the touch detection means distributed in a rough manner. At the same time, continuous input is possible by changing the number of input events depending on the touched part on the locus.
According to the twenty-fifth invention, in the IC card which is the computer of the present invention, it is possible to display a cursor in synchronization with continuously input events and to perform selection while selecting a plurality of items or a plurality of data or inputting a plurality of data. It becomes.
According to the twenty-sixth aspect, in the portable information terminal of the present invention, a one-dimensional transition value can be input from the palm rest portion.
According to the twenty-seventh to thirty-first aspects of the invention, an input device for inputting a one-dimensional transition value integrated with a touch pad is constructed, so that maintenance is good, assembly processes are small, and operability is better. A portable information terminal can be constructed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the order of the following contents with reference to the drawings.
(1) Configuration of touch detection means (2) Example of key having touch detection unit on key top (3) Example of contact operation type keyboard (4) Example of input device by aggregate of keys (5) Contact operation type keyboard and Example of block diagram representing electronic circuit of input device (6) Example of touch detection switch (contact operation type input device and electronic component) (7) Example of circuit configuration of computer system incorporating contact operation type input device (8) ) Example of portable information terminal of the present invention (9) Example of PDA of the present invention (10) Example of IC card type information terminal and PC card type information terminal of the present invention (11) Example of IC card of the present invention Embodiment (12) An embodiment of a portable information terminal of the present invention incorporating a contact operation type input device

(1) Configuration of Touch Detection Unit A touch event detection circuit configuration using a specific touch detection sensor includes the following. That is, it is a circuit that outputs a signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position mainly by contact and pressure sensitivity.

If a configuration using electrostatic induction type detection means (capacitance type) as a touch position detection means of the touch detection sensor unit is described, this is performed through a nonconductor such as glass in order to detect contact with a finger or the like. This is a system in which a plurality of capacitors C1, C2, C3,... Are arranged, and it is detected that the capacitance of each of the capacitors C1, C2, C3,. Here, the capacitors C1, C2, C3,... Are continuously arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, voltages are sequentially applied to capacitors C1, C2, C3,... Arranged in succession from a pulse generation circuit 1 through a scan drive circuit 2 incorporating a decoder and a counter. The frequency signal generated from the CR phase-shift transmission circuit 3 is sent to the frequency comparison circuit 4, and this signal is compared with the reference signal previously sent from the pulse generation circuit 1 to the frequency comparison circuit 4 via the control circuit 5. Further, the signal from the frequency comparison circuit 4 and the reference signal from the control circuit 5 are simultaneously sent to the determination circuit 6, where both signals are detected to detect the capacitance of the capacitor that has changed due to contact, thereby determining the contact position of the finger. It is detected.
In this method, the capacitance of the capacitor changes even if it is non-contact. Therefore, if the detection accuracy is sufficiently increased, a non-contact type keyboard can be obtained. The basic structure of the circuit is the same.

The configuration using optical detection means (infrared detection type) as the touch position detection means of the touch detection sensor unit will be described below. This is a pair of keys as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a light-emitting element 7 such as an infrared light-emitting diode (LED) and a light-receiving element 8 such as a phototransistor are continuously arranged on the key top one by one. 9 is a system in which light is emitted in turn by 9 and the emitted light is received by the light receiving element 8 in synchronization with the multiplexer 10. At this time, the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving element 8 is detected by the determination circuit 6, and the touch position of the finger is detected by determining the light level. A control circuit 12 is connected to the demultiplexer 9, the multiplexer 10, and the determination circuit 6 and controls each circuit function. Further, if an AD converter 13 which is a portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 2 is interposed between the multiplexer 10 and the determination circuit 11, an analog value can be detected at the contact point. Detection accuracy can be improved.
Even in this method, when the light is emitted from the light emitting element from below, a non-contact keyboard and input device can be configured with sufficient light emission and detection accuracy. Originally, it can be said that this optical detection means is a non-contact type.

  A configuration using a DC resistance detection method as a touch position detection means of the touch detection sensor unit will be described. This is because a metal contact is attached to a touch position for detecting contact of a finger or the like, and a detection circuit as shown in FIG. As shown, for example, the input operating resistance is 2 MΩ and a high resistance such as a finger touching across the metal contact switch SW1 to SW7 is detected, and the output levels OUT1 to OUT7 are set via the high resistance detection electronic switch module SM. It is a thing that changes to a binary value of HIGH and LOW, and is a thing that is mainly used as a switch that detects that the metal has been touched.

  If a configuration using resistance film type detection means (resistance film electrode type) as the touch position detection means of the touch detection sensor unit is described, as shown in FIG. A potential distribution Q is generated by applying a drive voltage and a ground voltage to the pin 15 with a drive voltage and a ground voltage. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, an electrode 16 made of a conductor is disposed on the resistive film in the upper part or the lower part in parallel with the resistive film 15, and the resistive film 15 and the parallel electrode 16 are connected by touching a finger or the like. The position of the contact point is detected by conducting contact and measuring the voltage changed by the contact with the voltage measuring device 17. As described above, according to the various detection means, the contact point is output as position data on a one-dimensional coordinate in which the contact point has a one-to-one correspondence with the trajectory. The direction can be easily recognized by the movement of the camera, and the digital type can be recognized when the number of points is large.

  If a configuration using a movable electrode type detection means (movable electrode switch type) as a touch position detection means of the touch detection sensor unit is described, as shown in FIG. For example, one of a straight electrode and an electrode arranged intermittently with a spacer 21 is used as a movable electrode 22 and the other as a fixed electrode 23. The movable electrode 22 is curvedly connected to the fixed electrode side, and the contact point of the finger is detected from the energization position and time of the contact. In FIG. 8B, the control circuit 18 activates the counter 19 and the decoder 20 detects the contacts S1, S2, S3,. At this time, the voltage at the contact point that is turned on becomes LOW, and the contact point can be detected.

If the configuration using the movable contact method as the touch position detecting means of the touch detection sensor unit is described in the same manner as the above method, two pieces arranged continuously on the locus as shown in FIG. Then, the contact position or the contact event on the locus is detected by bringing the movable contacts M1 to M5 into contact with the contact points S1 to S5 which are a pair. FIG. 10A includes a film-like movable portion 27 having a protrusion 24 on the upper surface and a conductor 26 on the lower surface, and a substrate 23 having a spacer 21 and a contact S. The film-like movable part 27 is curvedly connected to the contact side, the contact S is short-circuited, and the contact point of the finger is detected from the energized position and time of the contact. (B) shows a state where a switch according to this method is attached to the IC card.
In addition, it can be applied to touch detection methods such as an electromagnetic induction method and an ultrasonic detection method.

(2) An example of a key having a touch detection unit on the key top A key having a switch means for turning on or off a contact by a physical movement or pressing by attaching a contact detection sensor to the key top is shown in FIG. ), The touch detection sensor 28 is attached to the key top as shown in FIG. 11B, or a means for detecting one contact is provided, or a plurality of contact detection sensors 28A, 28B, 28C are provided on the key top as shown in FIG. ,... Are provided and a means for detecting contact is provided, or a touch pad 29 is provided on the key top and a means for detecting contact is provided as shown in FIG. . At this time, a normal key input is performed by pressing the contact detection sensor-attached portion 30. As for the conductive path, one that passes through the inside of the key itself, one that passes through the cable, one that uses a contact pin, one that uses an elastic contact leg, one that moves outside with the cable 31 as in (d), spring contact It can be configured by using itself or by using the elastic body itself as a conductive path.
FIG. 12 shows an example of the internal structure of a key having a touch detection sensor on the key top shown in FIG. This is because the contact detection sensor 28 is brought into contact with the fingertip to generate an electrical signal or voltage from the contact detection unit 30 which is a key top, and from the elastic contact leg 38 which becomes a conductive path from the contact 37, from the terminal 32 for external connection to the substrate. This is conveyed to the conductive path on 39. The contact detector 30 is urged in a certain direction by a spring body 40. When the key top is pressed against the elastic urging force, the contact 42 inside the glass tube 41 is contacted by the magnet 43, and the switch means. Is turned on. Instead of the switching means of the contact 42, an elastic contact leg and a contact can be used.

The one shown in FIG. 13 is an example of a key having a contact detection sensor 28 on the key top, which uses the movable contact 44 to connect the contacts 33A and 33B to turn on the switch means. A rubber-like elastic body 45 is used for holding and energizing.
As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the key conductive path having a contact detection portion on the key top is passed through the inside of the key itself, the cable is moved outside, the cable is passed through. , Using contact pins, using the elastic contact leg as described above, using the spring contact itself, or using the elastic body itself as a conductor and used as a conductive path. The cable may be routed vertically through the tube so that it does not touch the left and right.
The key top is generally concave so that the finger sits well, but the key used in the present invention is preferably convex, trapezoidal or flat. Further, when the cross section is trapezoidal, the center portion of the top plane may be convex or concave.
In addition, the keys used in the input device of the present invention including the keyboard are mainly switch means accompanied by pressure pressing, such as a click button and a push switch. Also good.
As shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, the keys provided with the contact detection portions on the key tops are continuously arranged as shown in the sectional view of FIG. Alternatively, the non-contact detection function can be validated. 14A is a combination of keys having a plurality of contact detection units, FIG. 14B is a structure in which a contact detection sensor is provided on the key top, and FIG. 14C is similar to FIG. (D) is a non-contact type sensor 47 (for example, an electrostatic induction type non-contact detection sensor, or an optical type or an ultrasonic type utilizing light or sound wave reflection). Etc.) on the lower substrate.

(3) Example of a contact operation type keyboard This is further arranged as shown in FIG. 15A so that contact detection or non-contact detection sensors are distributed over the entire keyboard surface. They can be arranged radially as shown in FIG. 15 (b), or divided into left and right as shown in FIG. 16 (b). In addition, the sensors may be distributed in a shaded manner, or individual sensors may be connected to orthogonal conductive paths so that the entire keyboard surface can be regarded as an XY plane as shown in FIG. The key top can be connected as a unit with a rosary string.
Continuing the description based on FIG. 15A, the key 36 provided with the contact detection portion on the key top is arranged as shown in FIG. 15A, and the contact detection sensor is distributed and developed over the entire keyboard surface. If the entire surface is a contact detection surface, the position of the palm touching this surface can be detected and calculated. The contact detection control may be divided at a portion of G and H corresponding to the middle of ASDF and JKL of the middle key ASDFGHJKL; which is the home position of the fingertip during blind typing.
Here, it is preferable to perform the input control process of the pointing operation by the palm instead of the pointing operation by the fingertip of the control processing method as in the existing touch panel. On the other hand, when it arrange | positions continuously on a locus line like Fig.16 (a), it can also be set as the process which receives the simple contact input operation by a fingertip, and the continuous analog input by a fingertip slip. In this case, the control method includes a method of detecting by touching the key top and a method of detecting by touching two in succession.
In the click input, a click key or button (48A, 48B) may be provided at the position of the thumb as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, and the click operation is performed by raising and lowering the palm at the same position. It is good also as the process recognized as. Further, a plurality of click keys may be provided, two of which are for a pointing device, one is for up / down scrolling, one is for process switching, and the like. Control processing switching and the like can also be performed using keyboard keys.

The keyboard layout and configuration may be a Japanese-only keyboard such as ASCII, JIS, or thumb shift key, or a three-dimensional ergonomic keyboard that is ergonomically considered. If the upper surface of the entire keyboard can be moved with the palm touched, it may be curved downward or protruded.
An example of the means for controlling the keyboard of the present invention will be described from the operation side. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the display unit (a) and the keyboard (b) of a personal computer. First, in blind typing, the operation is started with a finger other than the thumbs of both hands touching the ASDFJKL; key. This is the home position. In the touch input operation of the right hand, the palm of the right hand is placed on the keyboard as shown in FIG. 18B while the left hand is placed at the home position. Here, the number of touch key tops in contact with the keyboard is 8 or more. Recognizing the number of touch key tops, the touch input operation starts. When the palm is moved from this state, the arrow cursor on the screen moves downward when the palm is pulled forward while touching the palm. FIG. 19 shows an example in which the display on the screen is scrolled when the palm is pulled forward. If the operation of the palm is limited to the front and back, the cursor moves downward if the palm is pulled forward while touching the palm, and the cursor moves upward if the palm is pushed forward while touching the palm. If the palm is moved away from the contact surface, moved forward, brought into contact again, and pulled forward, the cursor will continuously move downward. Also in the horizontal direction, if the palm is sent to the right, the cursor moves to the right, and if the circle is drawn with the palm in contact as shown in FIG. 18B, the cursor also moves in a circle.
When the input of the above operation is accepted, it is almost the same as a normal touch panel system except for the difference between being a fingertip and a palm.
The big difference is that the fingertip does not protrude from the panel in a normal touch panel. However, palms easily protrude from the entire keyboard. In order to absorb this state, the position of the palm on the keyboard is determined by providing a means for detecting the contour of the palm in the touch detection algorithm, calculating the number of touch points, or both. You may let them.
When this keyboard performs touch detection processing, it may take a method of ignoring four of the left and right home positions “ASDF” and “JKL;” that are not used for touch detection when performing blind typing. . In addition, a setting may be made so as to ignore the right half or the left half in advance.
In the case of a small portable information terminal, the contact detection process may be started simply by the size of the contact area touched on the keyboard, or the entire keyboard surface may be operated as a contact detection unit by a predetermined click operation. It is also good.

(4) An example of an input device using a set of keys In the example shown in FIG. 20, the key 36 with a touch detection sensor attached to the key top is arranged on the trajectory, and the fingertip is slid across the key tops. It is an Example of the input device which has the form which moves and inputs the contact event or movement distance on a locus | trajectory. . 20 (a) is arranged on a vertical line on the button on the front of the apparatus, (b) is arranged in a horizontal line intersecting with the vertical line, (c) is arranged in two vertical lines, and (d) is They are arranged in three vertical rows or radially.
As an operation example of the input device, FIG. 21A shows an input operation unit of an information processing apparatus incorporating the input device of the present invention, and a key 36 with a touch detection sensor attached to a key top is arranged on a straight line. Electronic equipment. 50 is a speaker and 51 is a light emitting element LED. In operation, as shown in (b) and (c), when the thumb moves from the top to the bottom while making contact with the key top, event input by contact can be continuously performed. At this time, the LED 51 may emit light from the speaker 50 in synchronization with a contact event generated by contact or as shown in the figure. When the required number of events has been input, the key that is in contact as shown in (d) is pressed. As a result, the selection of the target function or data is confirmed.
It is also possible to continuously input directional input events by repeating copying while lifting the finger continuously in the same direction.

(5) Example of Block Diagram Representing Electronic Circuit of Touch Operation Type Keyboard and Input Device FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the keyboard and input device of the present invention. The contact detection unit 55 includes a contact / non-contact detection sensor described in (1) crossing the X-axis and the Y-axis, takes a signal by the contact / non-contact detection circuit 53, and has a calculation control unit. A contact event or contact position data is sent from 52 to the computer or the like via the communication interface circuit 54. When a contact point corresponding to a one-dimensional transition value is simply detected or when a contact detection unit is configured by a contact detection sensor arranged in a daisy chain, the circuit unit described in (1) above is connected in series as an X-axis contact sensor. It becomes the arrangement composition.
The pressure switch unit 56 of the keyboard and input device takes in the input from the contact point of the pressure switch intersected by the keyboard encoder circuit 57 and sends the data from the communication interface circuit via the control circuit. When light emission and sound are generated, for example, this is generated from the LED 51 and the speaker 50 from the control circuit in synchronization with a contact event.
Light emission and pronunciation may be issued by the host computer.

(6) Examples of touch detection switches (contact operation type input devices and electronic components) The touch detection switches of two types are invented largely from the touch detection means on the locus by the touch detection means described above (1). . One is a switch shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B and FIGS. 25E and 25F in which a switch unit is provided separately from the touch detection unit on the locus. In this form, existing card-type calculators etc. that are similar in structure are sold, but it has means to capture events by fingertips that repetitively follow the trajectory, data capture, and cursor movement There is nothing.
The second is a form in which the touch detection means on the locus and the switch means are integrated.
The touch detection means on the locus will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 23A, a touch detection unit 58 is provided on a linear locus, and switches are attached in parallel. If this form is adopted, it is possible to immediately proceed to the pressing operation of the switch after the finger copying operation. In (b), the touch detection unit 58 is configured on a curved locus. Also in this case, the switch 59 can be pressed immediately after the copying operation of the arc-shaped detection unit. (C) is one in which a plurality of linear trajectories are provided orthogonally, and (d) is one in which a plurality of touch sensors are provided with different density.
In FIG. 24, touch detection sensors are arranged with density. (A) The density on the right side is increased. As a result, when the right part is imitated, the number of input events increases, and more items can be input. Further, the input operation of the information processing apparatus can be performed more efficiently by the delicate input operation of the fingertip. (B) is a case where the detection density of the left and right portions is increased, (c) is a case where contact detection sensors are arranged on a circular trajectory in a sparse / dense manner, and the lower density is increased, (d) also Similarly, they are arranged in a circular shape and increase the density counterclockwise.

In particular, in an IC card, in a credit card type information processing apparatus, a substrate 23 is provided on a hard plate K such as a metal plate as shown in FIG. 25, and a pair of contacts S is provided on the substrate to form a spacer. 21. A movable contact made of a conductor is provided at the bottom of the film-like sheet with projections 24 attached to the upper surface via 21, and a touch event is generated by pressing from above or from the top and bottom with fingers as shown in the figure. There is a switch for controlling input items by sliding a finger or the like. FIG. 25B shows a touch detection input device on a linear trajectory configured with the density of an IC card. For this, the distance and the number of input events are not proportional. The number of input events varies depending on the touch position.
FIG. 26 shows an example of an installation with a switch in the case of a vertically long portable information terminal device. In (a), it is arranged in a straight line as a locus in the vicinity of the center of the front of the device, or in the vicinity of the center of the front of the device as shown in (b). A touch position detection sensor can be arranged vertically as a locus, or can be arranged along with a switch means near the center of the front surface of the apparatus as a locus on a curve as shown in (c). In addition, a touch position detection sensor can be attached to a linear locus as shown in FIG. (E) is attached along the movement trajectory of the thumb so that it is easy to operate with the thumb when the entire device is gripped on a curved trajectory, and the switch means is pressed by sliding the finger in the direction perpendicular to the tangent to the trajectory It is easy to do. (F) is a touch detection sensor provided on the side of the apparatus on a straight locus so that the switch means can be activated by sliding a finger in a direction perpendicular to the locus. In addition, the touch position detection sensor can be arranged in a circle as a locus near the center of the front surface of the apparatus.

Next, an example of a touch detection switch (a touch operation type input device and its electronic component) that realizes a touch detection unit and a switch unit will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 27, a touch position detection unit 30 having a touch position detection sensor 28 continuously arranged on a straight line or a curve is held so as to be able to move horizontally within a predetermined range, and from the touch position detection unit 30 and the sensor. An elastic contact leg 61 serving as a conductive path for transmitting an electrical signal or voltage is disposed on the attachment board 39 with a contact, and a spring body 62 that presses the touch position detecting unit 30 in a horizontal direction in a normal state, and a biasing force of the spring body A push switch portion 63 is provided on the mounting board 39 with a contact so as to operate by pressing the touch position input portion against the above.
As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection sensor 28 is obtained by causing the touch position detection sensor 28 arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve to touch the fingertip. A touch position input unit 30 for generating a contact, and an attachment board 39 having an elastic contact leg 38 as a conductive path for the touch position input part 30 and a push switch part 63 operated from above, provided on the upper surface. The hinge-shaped swinging member 67 holding the touch position input unit 30 having the projection 66 corresponding to the push switch portion 63 on the lower surface is supported by the support portion 68 provided on the switch 39 so as to be swingable. An actuating body 69 of a section-like projection provided at a part of the periphery of the swinging member 67 is formed so as to drive the switch part 63 at the tip by swinging of In which pressing the switch unit 63 when sufficient pressure is applied to the member with a detection sensor 28.
In the switch shown in FIG. 29A, a touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or a voltage corresponding to the touch position detection sensor 28 by causing the touch position detection sensor 28 continuous on a straight line or a curve to touch the fingertip. 30 and a push switch unit 63 is turned on or off using a one-way push mechanism 70 as a member for urging or pressing the touch position input unit 30 in a certain direction. The cable 31 may be used as the conductive path related to touch detection, or may be passed through the push mechanism. (B) is an example of a switch configuration when two touch detection sensors are continuously provided, and (c) is a switch form example when three touch detection sensors are continuously provided.

In the switch mechanism shown in FIG. 30A, the touch position detection unit 28 and the touch position input unit 30 provided with the cable 31 for the conductive path and the push switch unit 63 operated from above are arranged on the upper surface. Each of the substrates 39 is disposed in the information processing device casing 71, and an elastic resin portion 72 integrated with the touch position input unit 30 is engaged with the casing by a holding portion 73 that is suspended from the upper casing 71. When the touch position input unit 30 is urged or pressed in a certain direction and sufficient pressure is applied to the touch position input unit 30 against the elastic urging force of the elastic resin part 72, the push switch unit 63 is to be pressed.
In the switch mechanism shown in FIG. 30B, a touch position that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection sensor 28 by causing the touch position detection sensor 28 that is continuous on a straight line or a curve to touch the fingertip. Provided with the input unit 30 is a fixed contact 74 for the touch position input unit 30 to press down, a push switch unit 63 operated from above, and a bearing 75 suspended from the touch position input unit 30. It has a mounting board 39 arranged on the upper surface, and this bearing holds the touch position input unit 30 so as to be swingable left and right by a shaft 68. Since the switch 63A is pressed by the actuating body 76A and the switch 63B is pressed by the 76B, two types of push switches are used. It is possible.

In the switch shown in FIG. 31 (a), the mounting substrate 39 having the touch position detection sensor 28 and the touch position input section 30 provided with the cable 31 for the conductive path and the push switch section 63 operated from above are arranged on the upper surface. And supporting portions 77 suspended from both ends of the touch position detecting portion 30 are inserted into guide shaft holes 78 provided on the mounting substrate 39 so as to be guided and supported. For example, a coil-shaped spring body 62 is interposed as an elastic body between the touch position input section 30 and the mounting board 39 so as to constantly urge and bias the touch position input section 30 side toward the locking section 39A above the mounting board 39. The push switch unit 63 is pushed down by a projection 79 suspended from the center lower side when a sufficient pressure is applied to the touch position detection unit 30 against the elastic biasing force of the spring body 62. As That. Further, in FIG. 31B, the touch position detection part is formed in a push button shape, and the support part 77 on the lower side of the touch position detection sensor 28 is formed in a cylindrical guide shaft hole 78 provided on the mounting substrate 39. A coil-like spring body 62 is interposed between the touch position input unit 30 and the mounting substrate 39 so as to be inserted and inserted so as to be able to move up and down. It is also possible to simply turn on / off the switch by pressing only the switch unit 80. The same applies to the switch unit 80 in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 32 (a) and 32 (b), a device for pressing down two push switches 63B and 63C using a rubber-like elastic body 81, as shown in (c), (d) and (e). In addition, the three push switches 63A, 63B, 63C can be pressed by urging the spring body 62 in the vertical direction and the plate springs 82A, 82B in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 33 (a). The touch position detection sensor 28 is arranged on the locus of the sensor so that the entire detection unit can be pressed, similarly the switch 59 is provided in the center of a circle and a circle, and the sensor unit itself is held by an elastic body as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 35, the touch detection unit 28 developed on a circular locus can be pressed to the contact S side by using a skirt-like rubber body 83. Multiple contact points Some, such as those which gave the pitch part.

(7) Circuit configuration example of a computer application system when a touch operation type input device is incorporated If a circuit configuration example of an application system equipped with the input processing means of the present invention is shown, the touch position detection sensor unit 28 as shown in FIG. The touch input of a finger or the like input to is detected by the touch detection circuit 84 by an electric signal or voltage, and includes an arithmetic control circuit 85 (including a CPU central processing unit, a DSP digital signal processor, an MPU microprocessor, a memory, etc. In some cases, the cursor may be displayed through the display circuit, and depending on the processing content, sound may be generated from the speaker unit 50 through the sound circuit 86 and light emitted from the light emitter 87. If the application system is not simultaneously mounted on the arithmetic control circuit 85, information is further output to the application system. When the application system is mounted on the arithmetic control circuit at the same time, there is no output in the dotted line portion.

(8) Examples of portable information terminal of the present invention Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Portable information comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory In the terminal device, a touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and it is composed of a plurality of keys having switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top and touch. This is a portable information terminal device having means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with the keyboard and touch pad by the pad.
Typical examples of the portable information terminal include a handheld computer, a laptop computer, a personal computer called a notebook computer, a portable workstation, and the like. In this application, an example of a portable personal computer is shown. FIG. 37 is an external view of a portable information terminal of the present application in which a touch operation type keyboard 90 is incorporated. In carrying, the panel display 93 attached portion such as a liquid crystal is folded and carried forward, and 91 is a click button. The peripheral storage device 94 incorporates a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, and the like, and the PC card slot 92 incorporates an interface such as a CardBus standard of the PCMCIA specification. Other elemental technologies to be incorporated are too diverse and will be omitted.
FIG. 38 (a) shows the portable information terminal of the present application in which touch pads 96A and 96B divided to the left and right are attached to the palm rest portion (the part where the palm is placed) on the front side. (B) is the example which attached the touch pad 96 to the palm rest part. In the case of FIG. 38, since the area of the touch position detection unit can be made larger than that of the keyboard alone, the detection accuracy can be increased.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the portable information terminal device in the embodiment of the present application.
First, there is a CPU 97 as a central processor, which is connected on the system bus 106. The system bus includes a memory 98, a display circuit 107 and a liquid crystal panel 89, an audio circuit 86 and a speaker 50, a serial communication circuit 99 and a modem 100, an I / O interface circuit 101, a hard disk 102, a floppy disk 103, and a parallel communication circuit 104. And a communication circuit 54 for connection with the printer 105 and the keyboard controller.
As for the keyboard part, a contact detection part 55 is attached, the contact / non-contact detection sensors are arranged so as to cross each other, a signal is taken in by the contact / non-contact detection circuit 53, and the central part is passed from the control circuit 52 via the communication interface circuit 54. A contact event or contact position data is transmitted to a system bus including an arithmetic processor. The pressure switch unit 56 of the keyboard and input device takes in the input from the contact point of the pressure switch intersected by the keyboard encoder circuit 57 and sends the data from the communication interface circuit via the control circuit. A direct parallel connection can be made to the central processor side, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like may be used.
When a touch pad is mounted, a touch pad unit 110 enclosed by a dotted line is attached, and a touch pad control circuit 109 and a touch pad 108 are provided therein. This touch pad may be used for detection control in combination with a touch detection unit on the keyboard.
When light emission and sound are generated, for example, this is generated from the LED 51 and the speaker 50 from the control circuit in synchronization with a contact event. Light emission and pronunciation may be issued on the system bus side.
In recent years, circuit blocks including a central processing unit and a main memory have been developed, and the bus structure has been further complicated. Improvements are also being made in other elemental technologies such as other peripheral circuits and interface standards. However, in this application, since these are not mainly proposed or specially combined, no further elemental technical description will be given.

(9) Embodiment of PDA of the Present Invention PDA (Personal Digital Assist) generally has no keyboard and has a liquid crystal display, a transparent touch panel on the display, and a push key in a casing, A portable information terminal having a central processing processor, a memory, an interface circuit for communicating with an external device, an interface slot such as a card bus, and the like. The installed software includes PIM (Personal Information Manager) that performs personal information management such as schedule management and address book management, and has software that communicates with a desktop personal computer and has an Internet connection function. In the present application, a contact input device unit is incorporated as an input unit in order to prevent the display screen from becoming dirty due to a finger touching the transparent touch panel or blocking both arms due to a pen touch. For example, as shown in FIG. 40 (a), the touch operation type input device 112 with a push switch is embedded in the front of the apparatus, a circular contact detection unit 80 is attached as shown in (b), or the side is shown in FIG. 41 (a). A contact operation type input device with a push switch is attached to the side so that it can be operated with one hand, or a communication means is incorporated as shown in (b), and a touch detector 58 and a confirmation switch 59 are provided on the front. ing.
FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing an example of the basic circuit configuration of the PDA, IC card type information terminal, PC card type information terminal, and IC card in the embodiment of the present application.
These information terminals have a central processing unit 97 in common and RAM 117 and ROM 118 as memories, and a random access memory is considered to be a minimum required as a program work area. A plurality of methods can be used. In addition to this, the display unit 89 and the display circuit, the control circuit 119 and the input key 114 for the push key and the numeric keypad, and the touch detection circuit 84 constituting the contact operation mechanism which is the feature of the present application are developed on the locus. Touch sensor unit 58 and confirmation switch 59. In particular, a PDA is provided with a parallel or serial I / O port for communication with a personal computer. In the case of a PC card, a card bus interface circuit 116 and a connector are provided for insertion and connection to a card socket of a personal computer. In the case of a credit card type IC card, an interface circuit for this communication connector need not be provided.

(10) Embodiments of IC Card Type Information Terminal and PC Card Type Information Terminal of the Present Invention As shown in FIG. 43 (b), the IC card type information terminal has the same size as a normal credit card and has a CPU and memory, and the basic circuit described above. It consists of Here, an IC card type information terminal that can be inserted into a PC card slot of a personal computer or the like is shown. (A) is a product of IBM Japan Ltd. that can be folded in half like a chip card VW-200 and can be spread and inserted into a PC slot during the operation. This is an example in which a contact detection sensor is attached. (B) is an example in which a contact detection sensor is attached to a linear locus on an input operation unit of a PC card having a PDA function. (C) is an example in which an information terminal having a PC card socket having a mobile phone or a pager function is provided with a contact detection sensor on a side surface of a linear locus.

(11) Embodiment of IC Card of the Present Invention An IC card is obtained by directly bonding a semiconductor die chip to a thin film substrate by wire bonding, soldering or bonding, and then encapsulating the substrate with a resin or sandwiching the substrate with a film sheet. Or sandwiched between a hard metal plate and a film-like sheet.
FIG. 44 shows an example in which a touch detection sensor and a solar cell are attached to the operation surface of the credit card type IC card on a linear locus having a non-uniform touch detection density in (a). (B) is an example in which touch detection sensors are attached to a plurality of linear trajectories. (C) is the example which attached the touch detection sensor to the solar cell and the circular locus | trajectory. (D) is the operation figure which is operating the IC card which attached the touch detection sensor to the linear locus | trajectory in the horizontal direction. In particular, when the touch operation is performed with the density on the trace on the IC card, the number of input events varies depending on the touch position of the fingertip during input, so that a delicate input operation by the fingertip is possible. At this time, the touch distance and the number of touch events are not proportional.

(12) Embodiment of portable information terminal of the present invention incorporating a touch operation type input device FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a touch position detection sensor arranged on a line adjacent to or integrally formed with a touch pad, and touching in this way. By arranging adjacent to the pad, the cost can be reduced during assembly. FIG. 46A shows a touch pad in which the touch pad and the input device are integrally formed and the touch pad and the input device are separated by a personal computer casing, and a dotted line portion is a touch pad using the same integrally formed material. (B) Colored display of a locus-like input device on the touch pad, (c) Draw a line to distinguish the locus-like input device portion vertically and horizontally, (d) Input device portion Is arranged at the bottom, (e) is arranged at the top, and (f) is arranged around. In addition, a colored display or a printed line can be used as a touch pad when the input device is not used.
While the invention has been described in terms of several illustrative examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The above examples are given by way of example only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the claims.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, in an information terminal having a structure with a keyboard, by using a touch detection unit attached to a key top, a pointing operation can be performed without releasing a hand from the keyboard, and the operability of the information processing terminal is improved. improves. In addition, it is possible to perform an operation of inputting a plurality of events continuously by touching a finger in a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assist), a PC card type information terminal, an IC card type information terminal, or a credit card size IC card. Become.
In particular, in a thin information processing apparatus such as an IC card that cannot use a rotary operation type input device, the operability for selecting and inputting a plurality of items is improved.
Furthermore, a portable information terminal excellent in operability, maintainability, and cost performance is realized by incorporating a one-dimensional transition value input device integrally formed with a touch pad.

  It is a circuit block diagram of the electrostatic induction type detection system in an embodiment of the present invention.   It is a circuit block diagram of the optical detection system in embodiment of this invention.   It is a layout view of a light emitting element and a light receiving element showing an optical detection means in an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a sectional view, (b) is a plan view.   It is another arrangement | positioning figure of the light emitting element and light receiving element which show the optical detection means in embodiment of this invention.   It is a circuit block diagram of the direct current | flow resistance detection system in embodiment of this invention.   It is the conceptual block diagram which showed the resistive film type detection means in embodiment of this invention, (a) is a resistive film arrangement | positioning figure, (b) is explanatory drawing explaining voltage distribution.   It is the circuit diagram which showed the resistance film type detection means similarly.   The movable electrode type detection means in embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a circuit block diagram.   It is a circuit block diagram which shows the movable contact system detection means in embodiment of this invention.   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a movable contact type detection means in an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is an explanatory view and (b) is a perspective view showing a state attached to an IC card.   It is a perspective view of the key switch by which the touch detection part was provided in the keytop provided in embodiment of this invention. (A) Key top sensor attached, (b) Multiple sensor attached, (c), (d) Touch sensor means attached.   It is sectional drawing of an example of the key switch by which the touch detection part was provided in the keytop provided in embodiment of this invention.   It is sectional drawing of the other example of the key switch by which the touch detection part was provided in the keytop provided in embodiment of this invention.   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is sectional drawing of the keyboard or input device comprised in embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing of what was comprised by the key which provided several contact detection sensors in the key top, (b) is 1 in key top. (C) Cross-sectional view of a key composed of a plurality of keys provided with a touch pad divided into key tops, (d) Non-contact detection at the bottom of the keyboard It is sectional drawing of what arrange | positioned the sensor.   It is a top view which shows an example of the keyboard in embodiment of this invention, (a) has arrange | positioned the key which provided the contact detection sensor in the key top on the whole surface, (b) is from the center part in which a palm is placed. Sensors are arranged on a radial trajectory.   It is a top view which shows the other example of the keyboard in embodiment of this invention, (a) has arrange | positioned the contact detection sensor in the locus | trajectory on a straight line, (b) is right-and-left depending on the site | part where the palm mainly contacts. It is divided and arranged.   It is a top view which shows the other example of the keyboard in embodiment of this invention, (a) is what arrange | positioned a plurality of click buttons in the position of a thumb, (b) is inclined a plurality of click buttons in the position of a thumb. It is an example of what was arranged.   It is an operation figure of the keyboard in an embodiment of the invention. (A) is a display screen in a state where the arrow cursor is rotating clockwise, and (b) is an operation diagram in which the left hand is placed at the home position and the right hand is rotated to follow the display.   It is an operation figure of the keyboard in an embodiment of the invention. (A) is a figure of the screen display contents scrolling by the movement operation of the palm at the time of screen editing such as a word processor, (b) and (c) are the right from top to bottom with the left hand in the home position. It is the operation figure which is moving imitating the palm.   In embodiment of this invention, it is the schematic of the information terminal which attached the key switch with which the touch detection part was provided in the keytop. (A) is a front view of what is arranged on a straight line, (b) is a front view of what is arranged on an intersecting locus, (c) is a front view of what is arranged in two lines on a straight line, and (d) is three rows It is a front view of what was put in order.   In an embodiment of the present invention, it is an operation diagram of an information terminal constituted by a key switch provided with a touch detection unit on a key top. (A) is a front view, (b), (c) is an operation diagram in which the finger is traced from the top to the bottom, and the LED is blinking according to the event input, (d) is the pressure switch section Represents a pressing operation.   It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the keyboard and input device in embodiment of this invention.   FIG. 5 is a layout diagram of touch detection sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a linear arrangement and provided with switch means in parallel; (b) is an arc curve and is adjacent to switch means. (C) is a line arranged vertically in a straight line, and (d) is a view in which a plurality of pieces having different detection densities are arranged in parallel.   It is a conceptual diagram of the arrangement | positioning with the density of the touch detection sensor provided in embodiment of this invention. Actually, when it is close to an analog type, it is not a point of event occurrence but a non-uniform length.   In the embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view and (b) is a perspective view of a movable contact type touch detection switch provided in the embodiment of the present invention.   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the layout drawing of the touch detection sensor in embodiment of this invention, (a), (b), (c) is a top view, (d), (e), (f) It is a perspective view.   It is a figure which shows an example of the contact operation type | mold electronic component with a lateral slide type push switch provided in embodiment of this invention.   It is a perspective view (b) of the further another example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly.   It is a perspective view of the further another example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly.   It is (a) sectional drawing which shows an example of the contact operation type | mold mechanism with a push switch provided in embodiment of this invention, (b) It is sectional drawing of 2 switch type | mold.   It is sectional drawing of the other structure of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly, (a) is a plane type electronic component, (b) and (c) show a button type electronic component.   It is a figure of the other example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly. (A) and (b) are two-point formulas, and (c), (d) and (e) are three-point formulas.   It is the top view and schematic diagram of the type | mold with a circular locus | trajectory of the contact operation type | mold electronic component with a push switch provided in embodiment of this invention, (a) is a sensor and switch integrated type, (b) is a sensor, Switch separation type.   The switch means attached in embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a top view.   Similarly, it is a diagram of another example of a contact operation type electronic component with a push switch, and is a schematic diagram having a contact detection unit arranged with a circular locus and having a plurality of switch units.   It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the touch detection input device in embodiment of this invention.   It is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the portable information terminal incorporating the contact operation type keyboard in the embodiment of the present invention.   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a portable information terminal incorporating a touch operation type keyboard and a touch pad in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a view incorporating two touch pads. FIG. It is a thing.   It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the portable information terminal device in embodiment of this invention.   It is the perspective view (a) of PDA in the embodiment of the present invention, and the perspective view of IC card type information terminal (b).   It is a perspective view of the portable information terminal device in an embodiment of the present invention.   It is a block diagram which shows PDA in an embodiment of the invention, an IC card type information terminal, a PC card type information terminal, and a basic circuit composition of an IC card.   It is a perspective view of a PC card type information terminal in an embodiment of the invention.   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (a), (b), (c) of the credit card type | mold IC card in embodiment of this invention is a front view, (d) is an operation figure.   It is a perspective view of the portable information terminal device carrying the touch position detection sensor arrange | positioned at the linear locus | trajectory adjacent to the touch pad attaching part in embodiment of this invention.   It is a top view of the touch position detection sensor which adjoined or integrated with the touch pad attachment part of the portable information terminal device in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pulse generation circuit 2 ... Scan drive circuit 3 ... CR phase shift oscillation circuit 4 ... Frequency comparison circuit 5 ... Control circuit 6 ... Determination circuit 7 ... Light emitting element 8 ... Light receiving element 9 ... Demultiplexer 10 ... Multiplexer 11 ... Determination circuit 12 Control circuit 13 AD converter 14 Metal contact switch 15 Resistance film 16 Electrode 17 Voltage measuring device 18 Control circuit 19 Counter 20 Decoder 21 Spacer 22 Movable electrode 23 Fixed electrode 24 Projection DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 25 ... Conductive path pattern 26 ... Conductor 27 ... Film-like movable part 28 ... Contact detection sensor 29 ... Touch pad 30 ... Contact detection sensor installation part 31 ... Cable 32 ... Terminal 33 ... Terminal 34 ... One-way push mechanism 35 ... Key top holding part 36 ... Key with touch detection sensor on key top 37 ... Contact 38 ... Elastic contact leg 39 ... Substrate 40 ... Spring body 41 ... Glass tube 42 ... Contact 43 ... Magnet 44 ... Moving contact 45 ... Elastic body 46 ... Cable socket 47 ... Non-contact sensor 48 ... Click button 49 ... Display unit 50 ... Speaker 51 ... Light emitting element LED 52 ... Control circuit 53 ... Contact / non-contact detection circuit 54 ... Communication interface circuit 55 ... Contact detection unit 56 ... Pressure switch unit 57 ... Keyboard encoder circuit 58 ... Touch detection unit 59 ... Switch DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 60 ... Circular locus-like contact detection sensor 61 ... Elastic contact leg 62 ... Spring body 63 ... Push switch part 64 ... Push switch part pushing protrusion 65 ... Swing member holding part 66 ... Projection 67 ... Swing member 68 ... Support part 69 ... Actuator of section-like projection 70 ... One-way push mechanism 71 ... Upper housing 7 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Resin part with elasticity 73 ... Suspended holding part 74 ... Fixed contact 75 ... Bearing 76 ... Actuator 77 ... Support part 78 ... Shaft hole for guide 79 ... Protrusion 80 ... Switch part 81 ... Rubber-like elastic body DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 82 ... Leaf spring 83 ... Skirt-shaped rubber body 84 ... Touch detection circuit 85 ... Arithmetic control circuit 86 ... Audio | voice circuit 87 ... Light-emitting body 88 ... Arithmetic control circuit 89 ... Display part 90 ... Contact operation type keyboard 91 ... Click button 92 ... PC card slot 93 ... Panel display 94 ... Peripheral storage device 95 ... Portable information terminal palm rest 96 ... Touch pad 97 ... Central processing processor 98 ... Memory 99 ... Serial communication circuit 100 ... Modem 101 ... I / O interface circuit 102 ... Hard disk 103 ... floppy disk 104 ... parallel communication circuit 105 ... pre 106 ... System bus 107 ... Display circuit 108 ... Touch pad 109 ... Touch pad control circuit 110 ... Touch pad unit 111 ... Antenna 112 ... Contact operation input device with push switch 113 ... PC card connector 114 ... Input key 115 ... Parallel I / O port 116 ... card bus interface circuit 117 ... RAM 118 ... ROM
119 ... Control circuit for numeric keypad 120 ... Solar cell 121 ... One-dimensional upper transition detection sensor diversion unit

Claims (31)

In an information terminal device comprising an arithmetic device and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
An information terminal device comprising means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on a key top. In a portable information terminal device comprising an arithmetic device and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
A portable information terminal device having means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on a key top. In an information terminal device comprising an arithmetic device and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top and touch. An information terminal device comprising means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard and a touch pad by means of a pad. In an information terminal device comprising character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
An information terminal device comprising means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on a key top. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard is attached to detect touch events that occur when each key is touched, and to detect the contact state by means of a switch.
A portable information terminal device having means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard by an assembly of contact detection sensors on a key top. In an information terminal device comprising character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top and touch. An information terminal device comprising means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard and a touch pad by means of a pad. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
A touch detection sensor is attached to the key top, and consists of a plurality of keys with switch means for turning the contacts on or off by physical movement or pressing.
A keyboard for touch event detection by touching each key and contact state detection by switch means is attached, a touch pad is attached, and a set of touch detection sensors on the key top are touched. A portable information terminal device having means for detecting movement of a finger or palm in contact with a keyboard and a touch pad by a pad. In a personal computer comprising character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
A personal computer comprising the keyboard. In a portable personal computer comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
A portable personal computer comprising the keyboard. In a workstation comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
A workstation having the above keyboard attached thereto. In a word processor comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
A word processor comprising the keyboard. Instead of the contact operation type keyboard, a non-contact detection sensor is attached between the keyboard-equipped board or the key top and the keyboard-equipped board, and means for detecting the position of the finger or the palm on the keyboard is attached. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 to 11. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. A portable information terminal device comprising means for detecting and calculating part or all of an event number or length, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, a computing device, and a memory,
The switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing and the touch detection means in which the touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve or a space curve are integrated. An input device is attached to detect the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, in part or in whole, from touch points that are repeatedly touch-input along the path. A portable information terminal device having means for calculating. In a PDA (Personal Digital Assist) comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. A PDA (Personal Digital Assist) having means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number of events or length, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration. In a PDA (Personal Digital Assist) comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
The switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing and the touch detection means in which a touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve are integrated. An input device is attached, and the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration are partially or entirely detected from touch points that are repeatedly touch-inputted along the path. A PDA (Personal Digital Assist) characterized by having means for calculating. In an IC card type information terminal comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. An IC card type information terminal comprising means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number or length of events, time, direction, speed, speed and acceleration. In an IC card type information terminal comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
The switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing and the touch detection means in which the touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve or a space curve are integrated. An input device is attached to detect the number or length of touch events, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, in part or in whole, from touch points that are repeatedly touch-input along the path. An IC card type information terminal having means for calculating. In a PC card type information terminal comprising character or graphic display means, an arithmetic unit, and a memory,
An input device having a touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve is attached, and contact is made from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. A PC card having means for detecting and calculating part or all of the number of events or length, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration, and means for connecting to an information terminal Type information terminal. 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting and calculating with the above keyboard or the above input device, and further having a communication means. In a card type information terminal comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory and a solar cell,
An input device with touch detection means with a touch detection sensor arranged continuously on a predetermined trajectory in a straight line, plane curve, or space curve is attached, and detection is performed from a contact point where touch input is repeated following the trajectory. A card type information terminal comprising means for detecting and calculating a plurality or all of touch event count or length, time, direction, speed, speed, and acceleration. In an IC card including an arithmetic device and a memory,
An input device having touch detection means in which a touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined linear or curved locus is attached, and contact and pressure sensing are performed from a contact point that is repeatedly touch-inputted along the locus. It has a means to detect a signal or voltage according to the touch position, and to detect and calculate a plurality or all of the number or length of contact events, time, direction, speed, speed and acceleration. IC card. In an IC card comprising a character display means or a light emitting means by a light emitting element, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
A human-powered device having a touch detection means in which a touch detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined trajectory of a straight line or a curve is attached, and contact and pressure sensing are performed from a contact point that is repeatedly touched manually by following the trajectory. It has a means to detect a signal or voltage according to the touch position, and to detect and calculate a plurality or all of the number or length of contact events, time, direction, speed, speed and acceleration. IC card. In an IC card comprising a character display means or a light emitting means by a light emitting element, an arithmetic device, and a memory,
An input device having touch detection means in which touch detection sensors are distributed densely and densely on a predetermined linear or curved trajectory is attached, and contact and feeling are detected from contact points that are repeatedly touch-inputted along the trajectory. It has a means to detect the signal or voltage according to the touch position by pressure, and to detect and calculate several or all of the number or length of contact events, time, direction, speed, speed and acceleration. IC card characterized by The display means has a display means for displaying a plurality of items and a cursor that clearly indicates which of these items is currently selected, repeatedly detecting contact with the input device, and detecting and calculating event information 25. The IC card according to claim 22, further comprising means for moving the cursor in synchronization. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory, a keyboard, and a touch pad on the palm rest,
An input device in which a touch detection sensor is arranged on a predetermined straight line or curved line segment trajectory is disposed around the touch pad, and has means for detecting the position of a finger touching the input device. A portable information terminal device. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory, and a keyboard,
An input device in which a touch detection sensor is arranged on a predetermined straight line or curved line trajectory and a touch pad are integrated with a palm rest portion and has means for detecting the position of a finger touching the input device. A portable information terminal device. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory, and a keyboard,
The peripheral part of the touch pad is an input device in which a touch detection sensor is arranged on a predetermined line segment locus of a straight line or a curved line, and is integrated with the touch pad and arranged on the palm rest part, and the finger touching the input device A portable information terminal device having means for detecting a position. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory, and a keyboard,
A touch pad is attached to the palm rest, a part of the touch pad is made inaccessible, a part of the touch pad is a pointing device on a two-dimensional plane, and a part of the touch pad is a predetermined linear or curved shape. A portable information terminal device comprising: an input device having a touch detection sensor arranged on a line segment locus. In a portable information terminal device comprising a character or graphic display means, an arithmetic device, a memory, and a ghee board,
A touch pad is attached to the palm rest, which is visible from the contact surface of the touch pad. A portable information terminal device characterized in that a part that can be recognized as a device is used as a touch position detecting means on a predetermined locus segment. 31. The portable information terminal device according to claim 26, wherein a click switch for the input device is provided around the input device and the touch pad in the portable information terminal device.

Images