JP2006050512A - Data input method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enlarge a pointing area and a pointing button and improve operatability by a method (software) for inputting various information which gives a configuration of a direction key which can coordinate button operation and pointing operation with ease, and combines this direction key with the button operation and the pointing operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the data input method using a data input unit worn by either a thumb or an index finger or hold by both fingers which can coordinate the direction operation and the pointing operation to execute efficiently, the operatability is improved by introducing a mechanism to stimulate a sense of the finger attached to the unit to make it feel a virtual direction key, and the method for inputting various data efficietnly is given by using this unit and combining the location and the direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  As the functionality of devices increases, the number of buttons and pointing areas on the display increases and the size decreases, and the operability of the devices decreases. The present invention relates to a data input method (software) that can reduce the number of buttons and pointing areas on a display, and can input various information clearly and efficiently while expanding the size of these. The present invention also relates to a data input method (software) that can simultaneously perform pointing (position designation) and directional key operations using only one thumb or only one thumb and forefinger. The present invention also relates to a method for returning a response to a tactile sensation or a force sensation of a finger pressing a touch panel.

With regard to the haptic feedback mechanism that plays an important role in improving the operability of the data input device in the present technology, various methods shown in the following Patent Documents 1-17 have been proposed.
JP 11-161152 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-55252 JP-A-6-102997 JP 2001-356862 A JP 2000-29623 A JP 2000-259333 A JP 2000-47792 A JP-A-10-143301 JP-A-11-224161 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-55222 JP 2002-278694 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-90922 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-353091 JP 2001-166871 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-33020 Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-277427 Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-111648

  In the data input device of the present invention, when the finger is always moved while being in close contact with the device, a response to the tactile sensation or force sense of the finger is returned using the haptic feedback mechanism to make the user perceive a virtual direction key. According to this method, since the finger is always in close contact with the apparatus, it is possible to feel and operate the direction key while stably holding the apparatus. In addition, since the difference in the direction of finger movement is clarified by tactile feedback, not only front-rear and left-right but also oblique directions can be reliably distinguished and various directions can be correctly input. Furthermore, by realizing tactile feedback with a small mechanism, it becomes possible to operate the direction key while holding the device using only the thumb of one hand or only the thumb and forefinger. "Pressing operation" or "Pressing other buttons and pressing directional keys" can be executed in conjunction with each other at the same time. In the present invention, by combining the operation of the direction key and other operations in this way, it becomes possible to input various information even if the number of pointing areas and buttons is reduced, and the number of pointing areas and buttons is reduced. The operability can be improved by increasing the size of individual pointing areas and buttons. None of the above-mentioned documents recognizes a technique that uses a tactile feedback mechanism for such a purpose. In addition, the conventional touch panel has poor operability because it does not respond to a tactile sense or a force sense even when pressed with a finger, but the present invention provides a new method for generating this response.

  In recent years, buttons have been reduced due to downsizing of devices and increase in functions, and items (pointing areas) of menu items and tabs (pointing areas) to be clicked (pointed) by placing the cursor on the screen tend to be downsized. As buttons and pointing areas become smaller, time and attention are required for operation, and erroneous input also increases. In addition, work fatigue will increase. The present invention solves the following problems in order to deal with this problem. (1) A direction key that can be operated with a small finger movement while clearly distinguishing the direction through tactile feedback is introduced, and an input device that serves as the direction key and a pointing device is used as one finger (thumb) or two fingers. The number of pointing areas by diversifying the information that can be input by combining both operations by allowing the direction keys and pointing device to be operated in cooperation with these fingers while holding them stably (thumb and index finger) only Reduce. (2) The above directional key is configured to be supported using only the side of the index finger and the thumb, so that the operation of pressing the button (or pointing operation) with the index finger and the operation of pressing the directional key can be executed simultaneously. To. Since various information can be specified by combining both operations, the number of buttons (or the number of pointing areas) can be reduced, and the size of the buttons (or pointing areas) can be increased by reducing the number of buttons. Can be improved. With a normal input device, if you try to execute a combination of pressing a direction key and pressing a button (or pressing a direction key and pointing operation) at the same time, you must use both hands and multiple fingers at the same time, making the operation difficult. Although the work efficiency is reduced, in the present invention, the combination of both operations can be performed easily and efficiently by enabling both operations to be performed simultaneously using only the thumb of one hand (or only the thumb and index finger of one hand). Make it executable. It also reduces the psychological burden by requiring attention to these two fingers during operation.

  In order to efficiently execute the operation of pressing the direction key and the operation of pressing the button (or the operation of pressing the direction key and the pointing operation) with only one thumb of one hand, data input to be worn on the thumb like a ring Use the device. This data input device has a part that is in close contact with the thumb (finger contact part) and a part that is in close contact with the surface (bottom part) so that it does not slide and move after landing on the surface of the landing panel provided separately in the outside world ), And touch the target button (or target pointing area) on the panel and press the target button (if landing on the panel surface, the landing position is detected and After pointing the target pointing area), the bottom part is closely attached to the panel surface and fixed, and the finger contact part that is movable with respect to the bottom part is moved in conjunction with the thumb, The moving direction is detected, and it is considered that the direction key corresponding to the detected direction is pressed. In this way, the operation of pressing the button (or the movement of moving the thumb parallel to the panel after landing on the landing panel, or the movement of moving the thumb diagonally downward by combining the downward and horizontal movements after landing) (or Pointing operation) and pressing the direction key can be executed continuously. Such a combination of operations is easy to understand intuitively, and since both operations are connected continuously and smoothly to form an integrated motion, it can be easily and quickly executed. In addition, since the user only has to pay attention to only one thumb during operation, the psychological burden is reduced.

  In order to efficiently execute the operation of pressing the direction key with the thumb and index finger of one hand and the operation of pressing the button (or the operation of pressing the direction key and the pointing operation), the above-mentioned bottom portion is applied to the side of the index finger. After touching the skin surface without slipping, move the thumb while keeping the thumb in close contact with the aforementioned finger contact part, and detect the moving direction when moving the finger contact part relative to the bottom part. It is assumed that the direction key corresponding to this moving direction has been pressed. In this way, the pointing button is pressed with the index finger at the same time while operating the direction key (or the pointing based on the position detected by detecting the position of the tip of the index finger (or the position of one end of the device) contacting the position detection panel surface). can do. In this way, an operation of pressing a button (or an operation of pointing) using only the thumb and index finger of one hand and an operation of pressing a direction key can be executed in a smoothly coordinated manner. Compared to other tasks using both hands and many fingers at the same time, a task using only the thumb and index finger of one hand has a lower psychological load because it is sufficient to put attention on two adjacent fingers. In addition, since the same thumb and index finger are often linked in other daily activities, people are proficient in working with these fingers at the same time, and can easily perform both operations at high speed without practice. it can.

  Normal direction keys have different keys for each direction, and a direction is designated by pressing a key corresponding to a target direction. When moving a finger to a key different from the currently pressed key, it is necessary to move the finger away from the key and move in the air. In the data input device of the present invention, the direction key must be operated with one of these fingers while holding the device with only the thumb and forefinger. In order to keep holding the device, the finger cannot move in the air, and a special direction key that can be operated while keeping the finger in close contact is required. Therefore, the data input device of the present invention detects the moving direction when moving the thumb while closely contacting the finger contact portion, and treats it as an input of the direction key. It is difficult to enter them separately. For example, a stick for inputting a direction is used in an input device for a game machine. With such a stick, it is difficult to distinguish eight directions including an oblique direction although four directions of front, rear, left and right can be distinguished.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a stimulus that acts on the tactile sensation on the skin surface of a thumb that is in close contact with the finger contact portion or an index finger that is in close contact with the bottom surface portion, or a finger that moves when the finger contact portion is moved relative to the bottom surface portion. By generating a repulsive force acting on the sense of force and changing the action on the tactile sense or force sense according to the direction of movement relative to the bottom surface of the finger contact portion, the user can grasp the direction of moving the finger through the sense of touch or force sense. Like that. At this time, even if the momentum of the finger is small, the user can clearly grasp the difference in the direction of movement of the finger by reducing the input error by emphasizing the action on the sense of touch or force. If the movement amount of the finger is small, the apparatus can be miniaturized and the operation speed can be improved. Further, if the thumb is moved with respect to the index finger, an excessive burden is applied to the joints and muscles, and the apparatus cannot be stably held. However, if the operation amount can be reduced, such a problem does not occur. In addition, if a tactile stimulus is added, a virtual button can be perceived on the tactile sense, and the operation becomes intuitively easy to understand.

  As a method of applying tactile stimulation to the finger, the protrusion may be moved using an electrically driven actuator, but in order to reduce power consumption and cost, the movement of the finger is mechanically converted to move the protrusion. It is desirable. In the present invention, a small, lightweight and highly reliable motion conversion mechanism is devised to realize a small data input device that does not feel uncomfortable even if it is attached to one of the thumb or forefinger or held by the thumb and forefinger. . In addition, if signals and power are transmitted wirelessly between the data input device and another device, it is freed from cable restrictions and can be operated more freely. For this wireless transmission, a short-range wireless system that has been put into practical use with a wireless IC card or wireless IC tag can be used as it is. Further, if an authentication code is recorded in the apparatus, a password or password can be input by the apparatus itself, so that authentication can be performed without preparing a separate input apparatus. For example, in current ATM, debit card terminals, and door security management systems, authentication is performed using an ID code recorded on the card and a password entered. A separate numeric keypad is provided for entering the PIN code. However, since the PIN code can be entered with this data input device, if the ID code is also recorded in the data input device, a separate numeric keypad is not required. At any rate, full authentication can be performed only with this data input device.

  Since the finger is always in close contact with the data input device used in the present invention, the vibration of the input device generated by a vibration motor or the like can be reliably transmitted to the finger. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a vibration generating mechanism in the input device of the present invention and vibrate it according to an external command to use as a response to the user's operation or as a prompt for alerting the user.

With the data input device of the present invention, it is possible to input various information easily, quickly and reliably using a small number of large buttons or a small number of large pointing areas. With conventional input devices, the operation of pressing other buttons or pointing and the operation of pressing direction keys are difficult to coordinate, and it is necessary to use both hands and use a large number of fingers. It cost. According to the present invention, both operations can be easily performed in cooperation with only the thumb of one hand or the thumb and forefinger, and various information can be input by a combination of a push button and a direction key, or a combination of a pointing area and a direction key. . For example, using direction keys that can identify nine types of directions, it is possible to input 27 types of information by combining three large buttons or three large pointing areas, so that all English alphabets can be input. In the conventional method, such a combination operation is difficult and the operation tends to be slow. However, according to the present invention, the operation of pressing a button or designating a pointing area and the operation of pressing a direction key are easily and rapidly linked. Can be executed.
In addition, by applying a different tactile or force stimulus to the finger depending on the direction in which the finger is moved, the direction of movement of the fingertip can be clearly defined even if the finger is operated in close contact with the device or the finger movement range is narrow Can be operated with distinction. Since the finger can be in close contact with the device even during operation, the device can be held stably. In addition, since the finger movement range is narrow, the device can be downsized and the device can be held using only one thumb of one hand or the thumb and index finger. Conventional touch panels and tablets are flat and have no uneven feel even when touched, and there is no click feeling (repulsive force) even when pressed with a finger. Operability can be improved by generating feeling and repulsive force.

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the data input device of the present invention. FIG. 1B shows the same data input device viewed from the front (front). The upper surface of the finger holding base 5 on which the thumb is placed is in contact with the thumb, and this upper surface is referred to as a finger contact portion. As shown in these drawings, the thumb is brought into close contact with the finger contact portion, and the side of the thumb is sandwiched between the pressing members 4 to fix the device to the thumb. If the presser 4 is unfolded, the device can be easily detached from the thumb. The tightening degree of the presser 4 can be adjusted according to the size of the finger. You may provide this pressing tool so that an index finger may be pinched | interposed. The bottom surface portion 1 is fixed so as not to slide on the panel when an appropriate pressure is applied so that the bottom surface portion 1 touches the panel after landing on the surface of the landing panel 6. There is a panel contact portion 3 at the tip of the pointing projection 2, and the pressure when the panel contact portion 3 comes into contact with the panel is detected to determine whether or not the contact is made, and if necessary, the strength of the contact is determined. This contact determination function may be provided on the landing panel 6 side. The landing panel 6 is provided with three areas (Area-A, Area-B, and Area-C), and the position where the bottom surface portion 1 lands or the contact position of the tip portion 3 of the pointing projection is the area of these areas. A mechanism for detecting which one belongs is provided. This detection mechanism may be provided on the side of the device attached to the thumb, or may be provided on the landing panel 6 side. Specifically, a position detection method based on a resistance value or a capacitance that is currently used in a touch panel or a touch display can be used. Alternatively, according to the electromagnetic induction method used in some tablets, the closest approach position can be detected without touching the tablet. In order to reduce the cost, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), the buttons may be arranged side by side and the position may be detected as the position of the button pushed on the bottom surface when the bottom surface 1 lands. If the apparatus is used while being fixed to the thumb in this way, pointing and direction key operations can be performed simultaneously with a single movement of the thumb. That is, the bottom face 1 is landed on the panel surface by lowering the thumb, and the detected landing point is input as the pointing position, and then the bottom face 1 is brought into close contact with the panel surface so as not to slip and the thumb is parallel to the panel. The thumb mounting portion moves with the thumb and the finger holding base 5 is deformed as shown in FIGS. The movement direction of the thumb tip is detected from the tilt direction of the pedestal tilted by this deformation, and it is interpreted that the direction key corresponding to the detected direction is pressed. In this way, a pointing operation and a direction key operation can be performed in a lump with a continuous motion of one thumb. The position information obtained as a result of the pointing operation and the direction information obtained as a result of the direction key operation are integrated by the communication and information integration means 52 in FIG. 1A, and input information is determined based on a combination of both information. In the figure, the communication means is realized by the cable 58, but this may be realized by radio. The information integration means 52 may be provided in an input device worn on a finger, but may be provided in a panel for detecting a landing position, or may be realized by software in an external device such as a personal computer.
If the shape of the landing panel surface is changed according to the position, the landing position can be distinguished from the difference in the surface shape that is felt when landing. For example, if the manner of inclination of the panel surface is changed in each area of Area-A, Area-B, and Area-C in FIG. 1A, the landing position is any of these three areas based on the difference in inclination direction. I can figure out.

In FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the input device is held by two fingers (thumb and index finger). The thumb is in close contact with the finger contact portion as in FIG. 1A, but the bottom surface portion 1 is in close contact with the side surface of the index finger, and the presser 4 is held by holding the device between the thumb and index finger. It becomes unnecessary. However, if the presser 4 is introduced and the apparatus is attached to the thumb, or a similar presser is introduced to the index finger side and the apparatus is attached to the index finger side, the apparatus can be held more stably. Since it is no longer necessary to keep pinching, the finger is released from the restriction and can be involved in other operations. For example, as shown in FIG. 1D, an arbitrary operation (an operation of pressing a button in this example) can be performed on an existing input device with the index finger while holding the apparatus. In particular, as shown in FIG. 15, if the base 1 is fixed to the side surface near the base of the index finger with a presser or a band, the device will not get in the way and all fingers can be freely attached with the device attached. It can be used for various operations.
When the thumb that is in close contact with the finger contact portion is moved relative to the index finger while the apparatus is held in this manner and the bottom surface portion 1 is in close contact with the index finger, the finger holding base 5 moves the finger as shown in FIG. Since it inclines in the direction, this inclination direction is detected, and it is interpreted that the direction key corresponding to the inclination direction is pressed. The pointing position is detected by detecting the contact position when the tip 3 of the pointing projection or the tip 7 of the index finger is brought into contact with the panel 6 as shown in FIG. Enter information. Further, the button 8 can be pressed with the tip 7 of the index finger as shown in FIG. Thus, the operability can be improved by allowing the index finger of the same hand to be freely involved in other operations while operating the direction key with the thumb. For example, in the above example, the button is pressed with the index finger that has become free, or the target point on the panel is pointed, but the device can be placed at a suitable position according to the difference in the finger size of each user. For example, the direction key can be operated at a position suitable for each person.

  Even with current data input devices, pointing operations (or button pressing operations) and directional key pressing operations can be performed at the same time. For this purpose, you can use both hands or use multiple fingers that are difficult to work together. The problem was that the operation was difficult and the input speed was slow. On the other hand, when a pointing operation (or an operation of pressing a button) and an operation of pressing a direction key are executed simultaneously using the data input device of the present invention as shown in FIGS. Since it is executed using only the thumb and index finger of the same hand that are frequently used in daily life, both operations can be easily linked and data can be input at high speed without special training. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, when the apparatus is held only by the thumb and the index finger, the thumb must be kept in close contact with the apparatus at all times even during the operation of the direction key. If you use a normal directional key with four buttons on the front, back, left and right, each time you press a different button, you must release one finger from the button, but the other finger alone will not hold the device, Fall away from your finger. An input device such as a joystick is suitable for operating with the finger kept in close contact to keep it held, but with a conventional joystick, it is possible to distinguish between the four directions of front, rear, left and right, but to distinguish eight directions including diagonal directions. It was difficult.

  On the other hand, in the data input device of the present invention, by introducing a tactile sense or force sense stimulating means described below, when the finger is moved in close contact with the finger contact portion, uneven feeling or repulsive force that varies depending on the moving direction. Can be made to feel to the user, and the user can accurately grasp the direction of moving his / her finger through this unevenness or repulsive force, and can input eight directions separately. Furthermore, by devising the form of tactile stimulation, it is possible to feel a virtual direction key (feeling of a protruding button), and this feeling makes it easy to understand the operation intuitively. In addition, when tactile or force stimulus is emphasized and added when the finger is moved minutely, the difference in minute finger position can be clearly distinguished, and the eight directions can be distinguished and input by the movement of a small finger. Increases speed.

  FIG. 2B shows a means for applying a tactile stimulus to the thumb. Here, the finger-stimulating protrusion 9 (in the drawing, it is a flat plate rather than a protrusion) moves up and down to move the thumb on the finger contact portion 10 as shown in FIG. Stimulates the belly. If a similar mechanism is provided on the index finger side, tactile stimulation can be applied to the index finger, and the finger that stimulates the finger depending on the direction of finger movement can be used properly. When moving the touch, a tactile stimulus may be applied to the index finger side. In FIG. 2B, the finger holding base 5 is connected to the bottom surface portion 1 through a bearing 30 so that the shaft 31 can rotate. Since this shaft can be rotated, the finger holding base 5 is inclined in the finger moving direction as shown in FIGS. The tip 3 of the pointing projection 2 in FIG. 2B is used for the purpose of contacting the position detection panel and designating the position according to the contact position. Since the force is transmitted to the protrusion 2 when the tip 3 comes into contact with the panel, the point of contact can be detected by detecting this force using a switch or a piezoelectric element. At this time, the position can be input by detecting the position where pressure is applied on the panel. Further, when the tip 3 is retracted toward the protrusion 2 when pressure is applied and a repulsive force is applied to the finger when retracting, a response to a force sense occurs, so that the operability is improved.

  3A and 3B are perspective views of the data input device of the present invention. The finger contact portion 10 moves together with the thumb when the thumb is brought into close contact therewith and moved. The finger contact portion 10 is joined to the shaft 12 through a bearing 13. Therefore, the shaft 12 can rotate with respect to the bearing 13, and when the shaft 12 rotates, the tip of the finger stimulation protrusion 24 integrated with the shaft 12 moves up and down to stimulate the thumb that is in close contact with the finger contact portion 10. . The shaft 31 is connected to the bottom surface portion 1 through the bearing 30, and the shaft 31 can rotate with respect to the bearing 30. Since each axis is rotatable in this way, when the finger contact portion 10 is pushed forward with the thumb, the finger holding base 5 is tilted forward as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B. FIG. 3B shows a view excluding the bottom surface portion 1 and the finger contact portion 10 of FIG. 3A so that the structure of the finger holding base 5 can be clearly understood. In FIG. 3B, the portion surrounded by a circle is shown in an enlarged manner. Here, the shafts 12 and 20 are configured to be rotatable about 18 and 19 with respect to the column 21, respectively. Similarly, the shafts 16 and 11 are configured to be rotatable about 15 and 14 with respect to the column 17, respectively. Since each axis can rotate as described above, when the thumb is moved in close contact with the finger contact portion 10 and the finger contact portion 10 is pushed back and forth and left and right, the finger holding base 5 is deformed as shown in FIGS. The tactile stimulation means is realized by rotating the finger-stimulating projections along with the rotation of the respective rotation shafts, and stimulating the fingers with the tip portions thereof. FIG. 3C is a front view of the data input device of FIG. 3A when viewed from the direction D indicated by an arrow in the drawing. It can be seen that the finger contact portion 10 is connected to the shaft 12 through the bearing 13 and the shaft 31 is connected to the bottom surface portion 1 through the bearing 30. FIG. 3D is a side view of the data input device of FIG. 3A when viewed from the direction E indicated by an arrow in the drawing. However, the finger contact portion 10 and the bottom surface portion 1 are omitted, and only the side surface of the finger holding base 5 is shown.

FIG. 4 shows the direction in which the finger holding base 5 is inclined according to the moving direction when the finger is moved in close contact with the finger contact portion 10, and the tips of the finger stimulation protrusions 24 and 25 stimulate the finger by the inclination. The movement is shown by arrows. Further, springs 28 and 29 for returning the finger holding base 5 to the normal state when the finger is separated from the finger contact portion 10 are shown. This return mechanism is composed of a plate 26 integrated with the shaft 54 and pushed up by the spring 28 and a plate 27 integrated with the shaft 53 and pushed up by the spring 29. Reference numeral 34 denotes a lead wire to a switch for detecting the direction in which the finger holding base 5 is inclined. Since the conduction relationship between these conductors varies depending on the inclination direction of the finger holding base 5, the inclination direction can be detected by this conduction relationship. For example, when the finger is moved in the direction of arrow A (forward) in FIG. 4A, the column 22 tilts in the direction of the arrow in the figure. At this time, the finger stimulating protrusion 24 lifts in the direction of the arrow and stimulates the finger, and the plate 26 moves in the direction of the arrow and pushes down the spring 28. The various columns and shafts and the plate 26 are conductive, and when the plate 26 comes into contact with the contact 32, the left two of the conductive wires 34 are conducted. When this state is viewed from the side indicated by the arrow E, it is as shown in FIG. Further, when the thumb is moved in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4A, the support column 23 falls in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the finger stimulating projection 25 is lifted in the direction of the arrow and the finger 27 is stimulated. The spring 29 is pushed down. The various columns and shafts and the plate 27 are conductive, and when the plate 27 comes into contact with the contact 33, the two right sides of the conducting wire 34 are conducted. There are similar contacts on the opposite side, and the direction of movement of the finger can be detected from the front, back, left and right directions. When this state is viewed from the front indicated by the arrow D, it is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, there is a mechanism similar to pushing up the plate 27 with the spring 29 on the opposite side, and the finger holding base 5 returns to the center position in the left-right direction and stands upright. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4C, a mechanism for pushing up the plate 26 by the spring 28 is also provided on the opposite side, and the finger holding base 5 returns to the center position in the front-rear direction and stands upright.
Although the method for detecting the finger moving direction based on the contact relationship of the contacts has been described above, the finger moving direction can be determined by detecting the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the finger holding base 5 using a rotary encoder. It may be detected. When the rotary encoder is used, the movement amount and direction of the finger can be measured more precisely, and the cursor, scrolling, and content stream can be controlled based on the measurement amount. However, even if the simple switch shown in FIG. 4 is used, the finger speed is calculated based on the time from when one switch is turned OFF to the time when another switch is turned ON while the finger is moving, and based on this speed. The content stream can be controlled by determining the video playback speed, changing the scrolling speed, and changing the page and image skip interval.

  The spring 35 and the switch 36 in FIGS. 4B and 4C are for detecting the vertical movement of the fingertip (movement in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4A). When the fingertip is moved downward, the spring 35 is contracted and the switch 36 comes into contact and is conducted. Thus, the downward movement of the fingertip is detected and used as a timing designating means for designating the time point when the above-described direction detecting means detects the front, back, left and right movement directions of the finger. That is, the moving state of the fingertip is determined by examining the conducting state of the contacts 32 and 33 when the fingertip is moved downward to turn on the switch 36 (turned on). Alternatively, the moving direction of the fingertip may be determined by examining the conductive state of the contacts 32 and 33 when the fingertip is raised to turn off the switch 36 (turn off). When the timing designating means is introduced in this way, even if the movement direction is temporarily wrong when the finger is moved, the correct direction can be input as long as the fingertip movement position at the time of timing designation is finally correct. Therefore, it is possible to correct an error in the direction of movement during the operation, but in the case of a method in which the direction of movement is input immediately when the movement of the finger is detected without using the timing designation means, the fingertip is in the wrong direction. If it moves, the wrong direction will be entered without room for correction. In addition, when the timing designation means is used, if the direction to be input with the direction key is known before the position is specified, the operation of the direction key can be started prior to the positioning (the direction is still input). Since there will be no problem since the timing will be specified later), the movement of moving the finger for positioning and the operation of operating the direction keys can be executed in parallel to improve the input speed. Thus, before the timing is specified, the operability of the input method is improved by providing the timing specifying means for inputting the same information regardless of the operation order.

  5 (a), 5 (b), 5 (c) and 5 (d), a front view of the finger holding base 5 of FIG. 4 (a) viewed from the direction of arrow D is a left side view and a side view of the finger holding base 5 viewed from the direction of arrow E. Is shown on the right. 5 (a) shows the finger position at the center, FIG. 5 (b) shows the finger moving forward, FIG. 5 (c) shows the finger moving leftward, and FIG. 5 (d) shows the finger position. Shows the state of inclination of the finger holding pedestal 5 and the state of movement of the finger stimulating projections when is moved diagonally left forward. In FIG. 5A, the finger stimulation protrusion does not stimulate the finger, but in FIG. 5B, the finger stimulation protrusion 24, in FIG. 5C, the finger stimulation protrusion 25, and in FIG. Then, the finger stimulating protrusion 24 and the finger stimulating protrusion 25 both stimulate the finger, and the user can confirm the moving direction of the moved finger from the difference in the stimulation form. In addition, the user has an illusion that the finger-stimulating protrusion that rises and stimulates the finger when the finger is moved is as if the button originally existed at that position. As shown in FIG. 5, when the finger stimulating projection rises when the finger is moved back and forth and left and right, and the finger is stimulated, the user feels that this is a normal direction key with four buttons arranged in the front and rear and right and left. This device is operated with an illusion. With normal directional keys that use four buttons, when moving a finger from one button to a different button, it is necessary to move the finger away from the button once and move in the air. However, you can feel that there are four buttons. In addition, if the finger stimulation protrusion is moved greatly when the finger is moved slightly, the minute movement of the finger can be accurately controlled using the stimulus from the finger stimulation protrusion as a clue, and a small number of fingers in a narrow operating range can be controlled. The direction can be accurately distinguished and input by the movement of

  FIG. 6 shows how the finger stimulation protrusions 24 and 25 stimulate the finger. FIG. 6A is a front view showing a state in which the finger holding pedestal 5 is tilted and the finger stimulation projection 25 is raised to stimulate the finger when the finger is moved leftward. FIG. 6B is a side view showing a state where the finger holding pedestal 5 is inclined and the finger stimulating protrusion 24 is raised to stimulate the finger when the finger is moved forward.

  FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the configuration of the finger holding base 5 shown in FIG. Although the connecting portions such as the column 21 and the shafts 37 and 38 are simplified, the basic structure is the same. In FIG. 7A, when the finger is in the center position, each support column stands upright, and the finger stimulation protrusion is horizontal and does not stimulate the finger. In FIG. 7B, when the finger is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, each support column is also inclined to the arrow side, and the finger stimulating protrusion 24 integrated with the shaft 37 is moved together with the shaft 37 in the direction of the arrow. It rotates and its tip stimulates the finger. In FIG. 7C, when the finger is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, each support column is also inclined to the arrow side, and the finger stimulation protrusion 25 integrated with the shaft 38 is moved together with the shaft 38 in the direction of the arrow. It rotates and its tip stimulates the finger.

  FIG. 8 shows another mechanism for applying different tactile stimuli to the finger according to the moving direction when the finger is moved. It is assumed that the portion 39 in the figure moves in conjunction with the finger. When the finger 39 is moved to the left as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the support column 40 is inclined and the finger stimulating projection 41 integrated with the support column 40 is inclined so that the tip moves upward as shown in the figure. Stimulate the finger on 39. Here, since 39 and 40 and 40 and 43 are connected by a biaxial rotation mechanism, the support column can be inclined in the two-dimensional direction of front, rear, left and right. Meanwhile, the upper surface of 39 and the bottom surface of 43 are kept horizontal. FIG. 8C shows a view of the mechanism of FIG. It can be seen that the column 40 and the finger stimulation projection 41 are integrated, and that 39 and 40 and 40 and 43 are connected by a biaxial rotation mechanism. When 39 is moved to the right together with the finger in FIG. 8C, the support column 40 is inclined as shown in FIG. At this time, the finger stimulating projection 41 does not raise the tip, and therefore does not stimulate the finger. Thus, when the mechanism of FIG. 8 is used, the finger stimulation projection 41 stimulates the finger only when the finger is moved in a specific direction (in this example, only when it is moved to the left in FIG. 8B). Here, the biaxial rotating mechanism operates as follows. The support column 40 rotates about the rotation axis 60 with respect to 42. 42 rotates with respect to 43 around a rotation axis 59. Thus, since the two orthogonal rotating shafts are provided so as to rotate independently, the support column 40 can be inclined with respect to 43 in the front-rear and left-right directions with a two-dimensional degree of freedom. Similarly, the upper part of the support column 40 is also provided with two orthogonal rotating shafts, and the support column 40 can be tilted with respect to 39 with two-dimensional freedom in the front-rear and left-right directions.

  9 is configured so that four mechanisms in FIG. 8 are opposed to the front, rear, left, and right, and only the mechanism disposed in the moving direction raises the protrusion and stimulates the fingertip when the finger moves front, rear, left, and right. It is a thing. In FIG. 9 (a), the fingertips are in the center position, and each column is upright, and the protrusions of any column do not stimulate the fingertips. In FIG. 9B, the fingertip moves forward (left side in the figure), and each support column also tilts forward. At this time, only the front strut protrudes and stimulates the fingertip.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which an association map associated with data for inputting the finger direction detected by the direction detecting means is visualized and displayed on the screen. In this example, three pointing devices provided on the position detection panel 6 in FIG. 1A (this panel may be either a tablet having only a position detection function or a touch display having both display and position detection). Nine alphabetic characters are assigned to each of the areas Area-A, Area-B, and Area-C, and the nine characters that are input in association with the forward / backward / left / right and diagonal movement directions of each finger are designated. It is arranged and displayed to suggest the direction of movement. In this example, the association map is visualized by simply arranging the characters in 3 rows and 3 columns, but if the icon indicating the data to be input is displayed along with the arrow picture indicating the direction of movement of the fingertip, good. In the example of FIG. 10, an association map is provided in each of the three areas. In the example of FIG. 1A, one of the three areas is selected according to the position where the bottom surface portion lands on the position detection panel. In the example of FIG. 1B, one of the areas is selected based on the position designated by one end of the device held by the finger or the fingertip by using a position designation means such as a tablet. Further, in the example of FIG. 1C, one of the three buttons is pressed to select a corresponding area. When an area is designated in this way, an association map assigned to the area is selected, and data associated with the finger movement direction is input according to the map. The movement direction of the finger is determined by the finger position when the timing designating switch 36 shown in FIG. 4B is turned ON or OFF by the vertical movement of the finger. In this way, when using the timing designating means, a total of nine types of finger movements are distinguished between when the timing is specified after moving the fingertip back and forth, left and right, and diagonally, and when the timing is specified while remaining at the center without moving. You can enter seed characters. The association map provided in each area associates characters to be input with respect to these nine types of finger movements, and inputs data corresponding to the executed finger movements. At this time, when an area is selected by specifying a position by the method described above, an association map assigned to the area is visualized and displayed on the screen. Alternatively, the association maps assigned to the three areas may be always displayed, and only the selected map may be highlighted and displayed so that it is conspicuous. Note that even if the finger is moved in a specific direction, the input is not confirmed until the timing specification switch is turned ON or OFF, so the task of specifying the area and the operation of moving the finger to specify the direction are executed in parallel. And input efficiency can be improved. FIG. 10A shows an association map for inputting alphabetic alphabets, FIG. 10B shows an association map for inputting numbers and symbols, and FIG. 10C shows hiragana characters by inputting Roman characters. Each of the association maps for input is shown. In Roman character input, first, an alphabetic character corresponding to a consonant is input, then an alphabetic character corresponding to a vowel is input, and hiragana is designated by a combination of both. Since vowels and consonants are assigned to separate areas, it is easy to understand. In addition, vowels are input using only finger movements in the front and rear, left and right directions, and do not use oblique movements that are easily confused.

  FIG. 11 shows a method of controlling the movement of a game character using the data input method of the present invention. When the embodiment of FIG. 1A is used, the position of the character 45 in the screen 44 is first designated by the position where the bottom surface portion 1 is landed on the panel 6. At this time, the character is constrained so that it can only move continuously, so that an unnatural motion that appears suddenly away from the character does not occur. When the bottom 1 is fixed at the landing position and the finger is moved back and forth and left and right, the direction of the character is changed, the arm 47 is moved, and the weapon 46 is operated according to the movement. However, the actions that can be taken by these characters may differ depending on the position of the character. Therefore, also in this case, it is necessary to associate the finger movement direction with the character motion using different association maps depending on the position. Similarly, in the case of using the embodiment of FIG. 1C, it is preferable that the position of the character is determined according to the landing position of the tip 3 of the pointing projection, and the movement of the character is determined using the movement direction of the front, rear, left and right of the finger. .

  FIG. 12A shows a state in which a specific item on a page on the Internet web is pointed using the data input method of the present invention. The input device shown in FIG. 2 is held by the thumb and forefinger, and a specific item in the web page displayed on the screen is touched and designated by the projection 3 for pointing. Alternatively, pointing may be performed by touching a target item with the index finger 7. Alternatively, the item closest to the data input device may be selected simply by moving closer to the screen without touching the screen. For example, when the pointing projection 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow 48 in FIG. 12A, Item-A comes closer to the input device than Item-B, so Item-A is selected without touching the screen. Like that. Here, in order to detect an item at the shortest distance, a mechanism for measuring the position of the input device in the air without electromagnetic or optical contact is necessary. When the item Item-A in the pointing area 49 in FIG. 12A is selected, the association map assigned to the area (item) is visualized and displayed. The displayed association map is shown in FIG. In the visualized association map, when the timing switch is turned ON (or OFF) by moving the fingertip in the front, rear, left, right, and diagonal directions, the timing switch is turned on at the center position without moving the fingertip ( Or an icon that suggests data to be input when it is turned off. An example in which these icons are displayed is Item-1 to Item-9 in FIG. These icons are displayed in three rows and three columns arranged in front, rear, left, right, diagonal and central positions so that the correspondence between the direction of movement of the fingertip and the input data can be grasped. For example, when the finger is moved in the direction of the arrow 50, the item Item-4 arranged at the position 51 corresponding to the direction is selected and input. It is difficult to display many items simultaneously on a small screen of a mobile terminal. If items are displayed hierarchically as shown in FIG. 12, such a small screen of the terminal can be used effectively. In other words, if the association map is visualized only for the item (Item-A) that is closest to the input device and the lower-level items (Item-1 to Item-9) are displayed, the screen is not congested. Can handle a large number of items. In addition, since the operation of moving the finger in the direction of the arrow 48 and pointing the screen and the operation of moving the fingertip in the direction of the arrow 50 and inputting the direction can be performed simultaneously in cooperation, the items can be selected efficiently. For item Item-A, a large area may be used to facilitate pointing. The items Item-1 to Item-9 are selected according to the moving direction of the finger, so that the operability does not deteriorate even if they are displayed in a small area.

  With current Internet browsers, when the cursor approaches, the color of items such as link destinations embedded in the web page changes, underline is displayed under the item, and the item is displayed in three dimensions (Highlighted) indicates that the item has been selected. In the above-described method, when an item is selected, a plurality of items related to the item are arranged so as to geometrically correspond to the direction keys and pop up (highlighted) so as to be displayed on the screen. That is the visualization of the association map that maps the direction of finger movement to the input data. This is advantageous especially for portable devices with a small screen, since a small screen can be saved and a large number of items (link destinations and menus) can be handled. In addition, although there is a resistance to operating the browser with both hands or a plurality of fingers, the input device of the present invention can be easily operated with one or two fingers. In addition, if the position detection means that can detect the position of the input device in a non-contact state with the position detection panel can be used, the item that is closest to the input device can be selected before the panel touches, or When away from the panel, the focus range (the range of items to be highlighted) is expanded to display a number of items highlighted, and the items to be highlighted with the focus range narrowed as the input device approaches the panel. It can also be narrowed down to one.

  FIG. 13 shows various functions embedded in the data input device used in the data input method of the present invention. Here, the function is embedded in the bottom surface portion 1 of the apparatus of FIG. 2B, but it may be embedded in another part. Reference numeral 56 denotes a vibration motor, which is used for the purpose of notifying a user of a message through vibration. Reference numeral 55 denotes a circuit and an antenna which are used for processing the detection result of the finger movement direction and the detection result of the timing and transmitting and receiving power and signals wirelessly. Reference numeral 57 denotes a circuit for registering an authentication code and performing personal authentication by comparing it with a password input by the user through the apparatus. Wireless IC tags that are writable and have a certain level of computing power, and small chips capable of wireless data communication and power supply are becoming widespread and the cost is decreasing, so such wireless IC tags can be embedded in the data input device of the present invention. For example, information can be conveniently written to the wireless IC tag without using an external device by this input method. The data communication, power supply, calculation, and memory functions provided in the wireless IC tag can be used for the purpose of realizing various functions of the data input device of the present invention described above.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the configuration and processing flowchart of the data input method of the present invention. First, the direction detection means, the timing designation means, and the tactile stimulation means provided in the data input device operated with these fingers while being held by the thumb and index finger are shown in a frame surrounded by a dotted line. The tactile stimulation means gives a tactile stimulation to the thumb or the index finger to help the operator to grasp the direction of movement of the finger. The direction detecting means determines the finger moving direction from the position of the finger at the time given by the timing specifying means, and sends the determination result (direction information) to the software in the personal computer through the communication and information integrating means. In addition, position information detected by position detection means such as a touch panel and a tablet provided separately is also sent to software in the personal computer through communication and information integration means. The software in the personal computer selects an association map to be used from the position information, and inputs input data associated with the direction information by the selected association map. Further, the association map selected from the position information is visualized and displayed on the screen of the display device. At this time, an association map visualization means is used to display an icon suggesting input data so as to geometrically correspond to the movement direction of the associated finger.

  FIG. 15 shows an example in which the data input device used in the data input method of the present invention is worn on the index finger and used. The data input device 62 is attached to the index finger with a band 61. If it is attached to the side surface of the center part of the index finger as shown in the figure, the operation of operating the key with the index finger or the tip of the thumb is not disturbed. The data input device 62 is provided with four buttons 63 for inputting directions, and the user can operate these direction keys by moving the thumb tip to the data input device 62 side while operating the keyboard with other fingers. . When the direction key is mounted on the side of the index finger in this way, the direction key can be operated with the thumb at the same time that the keyboard or touch panel is operated with the index finger or other fingers as usual.

  To summarize the features of the input method of the present invention described above, an input device having a mechanism for applying a different tactile stimulus to the finger according to the specified direction is held by the finger and combined with position specification and direction specification. An input method for determining data to be performed, comprising: means for detecting a position of the input device held by a finger; and means for changing interpretation of a signal given from the input device based on the detected position. The number of positions that can be specified decreases if the buttons and pointing areas are enlarged to facilitate the specification of these positions (pointing). However, according to this device, a variety of information can be obtained by combining the position specification and the direction specification. Can be entered. When specifying the direction, different stimuli are applied to the tactile sensation of the finger according to the moving direction of the finger, so that the direction the user is trying to input can be clearly identified, and a small input that can be held with one finger Using a device, the position designation and the direction designation can be executed at high speed by an integrated movement that continuously connects the position designation and the direction designation. Alternatively, in a small input device that can be held with two fingers, the timing designation means is used to designate the timing for detecting the direction so that the position designation and the direction designation can be performed simultaneously, thereby speeding up the input.

  It is a figure which shows the Example and utilization form of the data input system of this invention. (A) Wear on the thumb and detect on the panel whether the position where the bottom surface portion lands is included in Area-A, Area-B, or Area-C. (B) The front view of the input device with which the thumb is equipped. (C) A position where one end of the apparatus or the index finger contacts the panel is detected by holding with the thumb and index finger. (D) Hold the thumb and index finger and press the button with the index finger.   The mechanism of the tactile stimulation means for stimulating the thumb with the data input method of the present invention is shown. (A) A state where the data input device of the present invention is held by the thumb and the index finger is shown. (B) A mechanism for stimulating the tactile sensation of a finger riding on the finger contact portion is shown.   The details of the mechanism of tactile stimulation means for stimulating the thumb with the data input method of the present invention will be described. (A) The whole image of a tactile stimulation means is shown. (B) The mechanism of the finger holding pedestal of the tactile stimulation means is shown. (C) It is a front view of (a). (D) It is a side view of (b).   2 shows a mechanism in which a tactile stimulus projection stimulates a finger and a mechanism in which the direction of movement of the finger is detected when the thumb placed on the finger contact portion is moved back and forth and left and right by the data input method of the present invention. (A) Perspective view. (B) Front view and timing designation means. (C) Side view and timing designation means.   The front view (left view) and the side view (right view) show how the tactile stimulus projections stimulate the finger when the thumb placed on the finger contact portion is moved back and forth and left and right by the data input method of the present invention. (A) When the finger is in the center position. (B) When the finger moves forward. (C) When the finger moves to the left. (D) When the finger moves diagonally to the left.   The manner in which the tactile stimulus projection stimulates the thumb placed on the finger contact portion by the data input method of the present invention is shown. (A) It is a front view when moving a finger to the left. (B) It is a side view when a finger is moved ahead.   Another embodiment of the tactile stimulation means for stimulating the finger placed on the finger contact portion by the data input method of the present invention is shown. (A) The state of the pedestal for holding a finger when the finger is at the center position. (B) A state in which the finger holding base is tilted when the finger is moved in the direction of the arrow, and the tip is raised so that one of the tactile stimulation protrusions stimulates the finger. (C) A state where the finger holding base is tilted when the finger is moved in the direction of the arrow and the tip is raised so that one of the tactile stimulation protrusions stimulates the finger.   Another embodiment of the tactile stimulation means used in the data input system of the present invention will be shown. (A) When the finger is in the center position, the finger is upright and the protrusion does not irritate the finger. (B) to (d) are inclined in directions corresponding to the movement of the finger in each direction, and among these, the protrusion that stimulates the finger rises only when it is inclined in the direction of (b).   FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the protrusions stimulate the finger when the four mechanisms shown in FIG. (A) No protrusion rises when the finger is in the center position. (B) When the finger is moved forward, only the protrusion on the front rises to stimulate the finger.   An example of visualization of an association map (a correspondence table for associating finger movement directions with input data) assigned to Area-A, Area-B, and Area-C in FIG. 1 is shown. (A) When inputting an English alphabet. (B) When inputting numbers. (C) When inputting hiragana in romaji.   An embodiment of controlling a game character by the data input method of the present invention will be described.   While holding the input device with only the thumb and forefinger in the data input method of the present invention, the position input and the direction input are efficiently performed in cooperation, and one of the items (Item-A) on the web page is pointed. A mode that one of the items of the displayed association map (Item-4) is selected is shown. (A) Touch the screen with one end of the input device to select item Item-A. Item-A may be selected as the item closest to the input device without touching the screen. (B) A state in which one of the items of the association map (Item-4) displayed after selecting Item-A is selected by moving the finger in the corresponding direction.   An embodiment in which a vibration motor, a chip for a wireless IC tag, an authentication code and a circuit are incorporated in the data input device used in the data input system of the present invention will be described.   The various means used by the data input system of this invention and the flow of a process are shown. Each means is mounted on a data input device to be worn on the finger (held by a finger), software on a personal computer, a panel with one detection means, a screen of a display device, etc., and communication and information integration means between each means Tied in. The flow of information exchanged between each means is indicated by arrows.   When the data input device is attached to the index finger with a band, it can be linked without interfering with normal keyboard operation, and the keyboard can be operated while operating the data input device attached to the index finger with the thumb. .

Claims (8)

A bottom surface part that adheres and fixes to the surface after landing on the landing;
A finger contact part that is in close contact with the finger;
Movable means for allowing the finger contact portion to move relative to the bottom surface portion;
Direction detecting means for detecting a moving direction of the finger contact portion relative to the bottom surface portion;
A data input method for a finger-mounted data input device that is used by being mounted on a finger,
An association map that defines the correspondence between finger movements in the front, rear, left, right, and diagonal directions and the input data distinguished by the direction detection means;
Means for changing the association map based on a position where the bottom surface portion lands on the landing;
With
Data input characterized by inputting input data associated with the finger movement direction detected by the direction detecting means using the association map determined according to the landing point of the bottom surface portion. method. A bottom surface that is in close contact with the index finger;
A finger contact part that is in close contact with the thumb;
Movable means for allowing the finger contact portion to move relative to the bottom surface portion;
Direction detecting means for detecting a relative moving direction of the finger contact portion relative to the bottom surface portion;
Position designation means for designating a position by touching or approaching with the finger contact portion or the bottom surface portion, an index finger or a thumb;
A data input method for a data input device that is used by being held by a thumb that is in close contact with the bottom surface portion and an index finger that is in close contact with the finger contact portion,
Position information given from the position specifying means;
An association map that defines the correspondence between finger movements in the front, rear, left, right, and diagonal directions and the input data distinguished by the direction detection means;
Communication and information integration means for integrating the direction information detected by the direction detection means and the position information specified by the position specification means;
Means for changing the association map according to a position designated by the position designation means;
With
Input data associated with the movement direction of the finger detected by the direction detection means is input using the association map determined according to the position designated by the position designation means. Data input method.   3. The data input method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a timing designating unit for designating a time point at which the direction detecting unit detects a direction is introduced, and a finger movement is detected based on a finger movement situation at the time designated by the timing designating unit. A data input method characterized by calculating a moving direction and obtaining a direction detection result of the direction detecting means. In the data input method according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3,
Comprising tactile stimulation means for stimulating the tactile or force sense of a finger,
A data input method, wherein a tactile stimulus applied to a finger is changed according to a relative positional relationship between the finger contact part and the bottom part. The data input method according to claim 4, wherein
A tactile stimulus is changed using means for mechanically converting a relative motion of the finger contact portion with respect to the bottom surface portion into a displacement motion of a member in contact with a finger. The data input method according to claim 1, wherein
The association map assigned to each of a plurality of areas provided on the screen;
Visualize the association map assigned to the area closest to the bottom surface of the area, and input data associated with each movement direction of the fingertip and the movement direction and geometry of the associated fingertip An association map visualization means that arranges and displays them so that they can respond to each other,
A data input method characterized by comprising: The data input method according to claim 2,
The association map assigned to each of a plurality of areas provided on the screen;
Visualize the association map assigned to the area closest to the position designated by the position designation means among the areas, and fingertips associated with input data associated with each movement direction of the fingertip An association map visualization means arranged and displayed so as to geometrically correspond to the movement direction of
A data input method characterized by comprising:   3. A data input method according to claim 1, wherein authentication is performed using an ID code recorded in the data input device main body and a personal identification number input using the data input device main body itself. method.

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