JP2006099791A - Contact operation type input device and its electronic component - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contact operation type input device capable of detecting the position of the point of contact which moves and changes, following on a predetermined locus one-dimensionally, two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally, a changing value and pressing force. <P>SOLUTION: This contact operation type input device has a touch position detecting means in which touch position detection sensors are continuously arranged on a predetermined locus on a straight line, plane curve or space curve shape, and a switching means for turning on or off a contact point by physical movement or depression in directions other than the direction in which a finger moves on a locus that is used by the touch position detection sensors. A touch position is detected by integrating the state of a touch position on the locus by the touch position detecting means with the state of the contact point by the switching means or by integrating positional information from the point of the contact on the locus by the touch position detecting means with on/off information of the contact point by the switching means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention is mainly used in remote controllers for various electronic devices and portable small electronic devices, and mainly includes a contact operation type input device that detects contact of a finger or the like and inputs transition information due to movement of the fingertip, and a contact operation switch The present invention also relates to a contact operation type electronic component that is driven by a push operation together with contact detection.

Conventionally, there is a slide switch having a movable knob as a one-dimensional continuous contact point switching machine. Further, there is a rotary slide switch that switches contacts arranged at equal intervals on a two-dimensional circle. These are movable knobs and are not parts for detecting contact points or transition values by hands or fingers themselves. It also detects contact and turns the contact on
There is a touch sensor that turns off. However, there was nothing that was continuously arranged on a predetermined locus and covered with an unbroken part or an integrated sheet in order to slide a finger on the contact portion. None of them had algorithms and logic that specifically considered fingertip operation. In addition to these, there is a touch panel that has been conceived for detecting a two-dimensional plane, positions on the X and Y axes, displacement values, and pressure by contact with a fingertip or a pen tip without having a movable knob. .
However, the position on the predetermined one-dimensional or two-dimensional or three-dimensional trajectory,
An electronic component that detects the position of a contact point by a fingertip along a trajectory that detects a transition value and a pressure, and calculates an amount of displacement and movement, or an output having an output for calculating the amount of displacement and movement. There are no electronic parts. Furthermore, in an apparatus using this type of electronic component, conventionally, an electronic component such as a touch panel that is operated to be touched and a switch that is operated to be pushed are arranged as separate components, and are operated by overlapping two components respectively. It was. As the touch panel, for example, the following are typical structures and methods.

(1) Electrostatic induction type: A two-dimensional planar touch position detection method that detects changes in capacitance between when the panel surface is touched and when the panel surface is not touched as signal changes such as frequency change and phase change. PCT International Publication No. WO92 / 08947 ”,“ PCT International Publication No. WO92 / 14604 ”,“ IEEE CO
MPUTER SOCIETY PRES REPORT, 'A CAPAC
ITANCE-BASED PROXIMITY SENSOR FOR WH
OLEARM OBSCAVE AVOIDANCE ', J.A. L. Noval
, J .; T. T. et al. Feddema, Reprinted form PROCEEDI
NGS OF THE 1992 IEEE INTERNATIONAL C
ONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION
, Nice France, May, 12-14, 1994 "," JP-A-8-7 ".
7894 ".

(2) Resistive film type: a two-dimensional plane that generates a potential distribution on two conductive sheets provided for the X-axis and the Y-axis and detects a voltage that changes when the panel surface with the conductive sheet is touched This is an upper touch 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-8-54976 ", and" JP-442-442 ".
No. 0 ”,“ Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 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 parallel to the Y-axis, and a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the Y-axis perpendicularly to it. And
One of them is a movable electrode, which is a two-dimensional planar touch position detection system that detects pressing in the Z-axis direction by contact of each electrode.
No. 15723 ".

(4) Optical detection method: In order to detect the 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 that intersects the X axis and is 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 a line segment perpendicular to the axis, and the two-dimensional plane detects the position and range where the light beam is blocked by pressing from the Z-axis direction. For example, there are “JP-A-2-53129” and “JP-A-5-35403”.

For example, a contact point that moves or changes along a predetermined locus such as a straight line segment, a curved line, an arc, a trajectory of a spherical surface and a rugby ball-shaped spherical surface, or a line segment that intersects a bird's foot shape. For example, there has been no invention for detecting the position of a fingertip or a pen tip, a transition value, and a pressing force. However, contact detection sensors used for all touch panels, touchpads, tablets, and touch sensors in the publications disclosed so far are continuously arranged on a predetermined trajectory on one dimension, two dimensions, or three dimensions. If the predetermined trajectory is a curved line, the distance from the end point when the curved line is extended to form a line segment on the straight line can be detected. In short, the moving distance and moving time of the finger can be detected. In addition, the usage in use is different from that of the touch panel and the slide switch, and the structure is also developed on the locus, which is different from the existing one. In short, the contact detection structure developed two-dimensionally is developed one-dimensionally and continuously arranged on the trajectory. For this reason, it is possible to incorporate some of the structures and advantages using the laws of nature for all touch panels, touch pads, tablets and touch sensors to date.

In recent years, a great number of contact-type detection means and sensor shapes have been proposed for position detection on these XY axes, but both have been obsessed with position detection on these two axes. In fact, no invention has been made for contact detection on a specific track. These structures give a suggestion of a very suitable method for contact detection on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve in a string shape. Conventionally, there has been a technical preconception that a slide switch having a movable part may be used for detection by such a contact point connected in a string, and there is also an economical reason for using a slide switch. However, in the case of a portable electronic device or the like, it is difficult to reduce the size, and since there are movable parts, the maintainability is not good. Currently, there is a rotary operation type electronic component with a push switch for selecting and confirming an input item such as a portable electronic device having a very multifunctional input item, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-203387. There was a certain depth. There has been a demand for realizing analog input other than pressing the push switch without moving parts.

Also, a position setting means for determining the position of the indicator with respect to a predetermined coordinate system, a pressure sensitive switch mounted under the position setting means, and moving when sufficient pressure is applied to the position setting means. The connection mechanism between the switch to which the pressure is transmitted to the connection mechanism that operates the switch, so that the same pressure must be applied to all positions on the position setting means that operate the switch. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-192418 discloses an input device in which a connection mechanism is formed by at least two plates hinged together and extended under the mechanism. However, this apparatus is a position setting means for determining the position of the indicator with respect to a predetermined coordinate system. For example, at least two sheets which are hinged and extended on the XY plane in two dimensions and as disclosed in the publication It seems to have been proposed for a form using position setting means in a sufficiently wide coordinate system such as
It does not relate to position setting means for detecting the distance from the starting point on a predetermined locus on a string-like straight line, plane curve or space curve, and the force when pressed by a board surface having a plane such as a hinge is used. It collects with one point. Here, a device is needed to input the transition on a specific spatial curve defined on a non-free trajectory, or simply the contact state of successive contact switches.

In addition, most of the existing finger contact type position setting means are of a size that can be used with a wrist snap as well as simple fingertip movement for input. When a portable electronic device is gripped like a component, there is no one that performs input by the operation of only one finger. Further, in such a small input device, the component parts can have sufficient strength, so that the position detection unit and the switch pressing member can be simply integrated. In addition, remote controls and portable electronic devices are as small and thin as possible, and are easier to use. Depending on the requirements, it is necessary to make them smaller, so the operation switches are as small as possible, have fewer moving parts, and have fewer parts. It is required to be.
However, it has been disadvantageous for downsizing of the device if the electronic parts such as a touch panel for touch operation and the switch for push operation are provided as separate parts as in the prior art, and the two parts are used separately. It is very inconvenient to operate.

Therefore, the present invention was created in view of the conventional problems as described above.
To provide a contact operation type input device capable of detecting the position, displacement value, and pressing force of a contact point that moves and changes along a predetermined trajectory in two dimensions or two or three dimensions. It is the purpose. Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, a touch-operated electronic component with a push switch that allows a plurality of operations with a single component so that an electronic device can be configured with good operability and a small number of components. Is intended to provide.

For this reason, in the present invention, the touch position detection means in which the touch position detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve, and a locus on which the touch position detection sensor is used. Switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing in a direction other than the direction in which the finger moves, and the state of the touch position on the locus by the touch position detection means and the contact position by the switch means The above-described problems have been solved by detecting the state in an integrated manner.
Touch position detecting means in which a touch position detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined trajectory of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve, and a physical direction in a direction orthogonal to a tangent to the trajectory used by the touch position detection sensor Switch means for turning on or off the contact by moving or pressing, and detecting by integrating the position information from the contact point on the locus by the touch position detecting means and the on / off information of the contact by the switch means By doing so, the above-mentioned problem was solved.
As the touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means, the electrostatic induction detection means for detecting the change in capacitance at the contact point on the locus at the time of contact and at the time of non-contact as a signal change is also used. Solved the problem.
For the touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means, the first electrode arranged continuously on the locus and the second electrode placed intermittently are used, and one of the electrodes is a movable electrode, and the other electrode By having movable electrode type detection means for detecting the pressing force of the finger using the electrode as a fixed electrode, the above-mentioned problem has been solved.
The touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means has an optical detection means in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are successively arranged on both sides or below the locus, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. did.
In the touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means, electrodes are attached to both sides of the locus, and a voltage at the contact point position is detected by generating a potential distribution by applying a drive voltage and a ground voltage to the electrodes. By having the resistance film type detecting means for detecting the displacement, the moving amount, and the pressing force, the above-mentioned problem has been solved.
The touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means is based on a direct current resistance detection method that detects the resistance of a finger or the like that straddles between metal contacts and varies the output level between a high level and a low level. By solving the problem, the above-mentioned problem was solved.
The touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means is based on an electromagnetic induction method using a magnetic film, thereby solving the above-described problem.
The touch position detection sensor used for the touch position detection means is based on an ultrasonic method using an ultrasonic oscillation source, thereby solving the above-described problem.
The switch means solves the above-described problem by turning on or off the contact point together with the protrusion when the protrusion provided on one or both sides along the touch position detecting portion of the touch position detecting means is pressed.
By arranging a light emitting body that blinks in accordance with the state of contact detection in the lower part of the touch position detecting means, or the lower part of the touch position detecting unit, or the surrounding part, or the touch position detecting unit that is capable of transmitting light, The problem mentioned above was also solved.
The switch means is always connected to the touch position detecting means so that only the contact is turned on or off without touching the touch position detecting means, and the touch position detecting means is simultaneously pressed in conjunction with the pressing of the contact. In this way, the above-mentioned problem has been solved.
The switch means turns on or off only the contact without touching the touch position detecting means, and is simultaneously pressed with the touch position detecting means when the contact is pressed, thereby causing the same problem as described above. Settled.
The switch means solves the above-mentioned problem by turning the contact on or off when the other end of the swing cam mechanism supported so that one end is swingably supported.
The touch position detection sensor is arranged along a plurality of contact detection tracks having the same transition unit or different transition units, thereby solving the above-described problem.
The touch position detection sensor is uniformly distributed in a wide band shape,
Or, by assuming that it is arranged in a non-uniform distribution with density,
The problem mentioned above was also solved.
The touch position detection sensor is based on two or more adjacent sensors that detect at least one contact position, thereby solving the above-described problem.
The switch means is constituted by a plurality of push switches,
The problem mentioned above was also solved.
A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or a voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit Keep it moving horizontally in the range of
A mounting board with contacts having means for transmitting an electric signal or voltage between the contacts of the touch position input unit, a spring body that presses the touch position input unit in a horizontal direction in a normal state, and a biasing force of the spring body The above-mentioned problem has been solved by comprising a push switch portion arranged on the attachment board with contacts so as to operate by pushing the touch position input portion against the above.
A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit A mounting substrate having a fixed contact and a push switch unit operated from above on the upper surface, and a touch position input unit having a contact corresponding to the fixed contact on the lower surface while being swingably held by a support provided on the mounting substrate And a section-like projection actuating member provided on a part of the periphery of the member so as to drive the push switch portion at the tip by the swinging of the member,
The above-described problem is solved by pressing the push switch when a sufficient pressure is applied to a member having the touch position detection unit.
A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit And a mounting board having a push switch portion operated from above on the upper surface thereof, and a guide provided on the mounting substrate with support portions suspended from both ends or lower center of the touch position input portion. Between the touch position input section and the mounting board so as to be guided and supported so that it can be moved up and down by being inserted into the shaft hole, and to constantly urge and urge the touch position input section side to the locking section side above the mounting board. The above-mentioned problem was solved by pressing the push switch when a sufficient pressure was applied to the touch position detection unit against the elastic urging force of the elastic body. .
A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit As a connection method of the members to be connected, the touch position input portions are fitted by connecting members by recesses or holes or through-holes provided in the touch position input portions, and a spring body that presses the touch position input portions in a horizontal fixed direction is attached. The above-described problem has been solved by the fact that the push switch portion is pushed by pushing against the force.
A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or a voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit continuously arranged on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit is fixed By using an elastic body as a member for urging or pressing in the direction, and having means for pressing the push switch unit by compression or extension of the elastic body by pressing the touch position input unit against the urging force, The problem mentioned above was also solved.
A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or a voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve; and the touch position input unit In addition, the above-described problem has been solved by having a means for pressing the push switch part by compression or extension of an elastic body.
The means for depressing the push switch unit is arranged at a position separated from the position where the touch position input unit is arranged in a single device, or is arranged adjacent to the vicinity of the touch position input unit. As a result, the above-mentioned problem has been solved.
The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing an uneven portion on the fingertip contact surface of the touch position detecting means.
The above-mentioned problem was solved by providing a contact detection sensor on the key top and having a means for detecting one contact.
A plurality of contact detection sensors are attached to the key top, and a means for detecting each contact is provided to solve the above-described problem.
By attaching a touch panel to the key top, the same problem as described above was solved.
By attaching a touch panel to the key top and having a means for detecting contact, the above-mentioned problem has been solved.
The switch means is provided with a contact detection part on the key top, and when the push means is pushed, the contact point of the sensor is separated to solve the same problem as described above.
The above-mentioned problem has been solved by the fact that the switch means is of a momentary type, an alternate type or a lock type.

In the touch operation type input device according to the present invention, a sensor that is most excellent in sensation mainly in the human body, analog transition information on a locus from a fingertip that is an operation device, or movement information of a contact is transmitted to an electronic device. It is possible to input, and it is possible to detect the position of a contact point that moves and changes along a predetermined locus in one, two, or three dimensions, a change value, and a pressing force. This operation component is used as a contact detection switch for selecting a large number of functions, making a switch input such as a volume switch delicate, and further performing input according to the number of sensor touch events. In this case, the number of event inputs is freely adjusted with the sense of a human finger, and the operability and multifunctionality are improved by changing the number of events according to the place where the finger is applied. In addition, the structure of the operation unit of the electronic device that simplifies the operability is simplified and the maintainability is improved. Then, it is possible to simultaneously operate the functions of the contact operation type electronic component and the push switch with a single operation component. In addition, unlike conventional rotary operation type parts with push switches, the device itself can be made thin in the direction of pressing the switch, so it can be placed in the center of the device and can be operated with one hand. When installed, it allows easy operation with both hands.
In addition to the simple key press, the push key with a touch detection sensor described above allows an event to be input by touching or sufficiently weakly pressing.

The present invention is configured as described above, and in particular, analog transition information or contact movement information on the trajectory from the fingertip can be reliably input to the electronic device, and can be one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional. It is possible to detect the position of the contact point that moves and changes along a predetermined locus on the dimension, the change value, and the pressing force. In addition, it is possible to provide a contact operation type electronic component with a push switch that allows a plurality of operations with one component so that an electronic device can be configured with a thin and small number of components with good operability.

In addition, a large number of functions can be selected by this operation component, and switch inputs such as a volume switch can be delicately performed. Furthermore, when it is used as a touch detection switch for performing input according to the number of sensor touch events, the number of event inputs can be freely adjusted with the sense of a human finger, and the number of events can be adjusted according to where the finger is applied. The operability and multi-functionality can be improved by changing them. In addition, as a component of an electronic device that exhibits such operability, the structure of the operation portion of the device can be simplified and the maintainability can be improved. The functions of the contact operation type electronic component and the push switch can be simultaneously operated with a single operation component. Furthermore, unlike conventional rotary operation type parts with push switches, the device itself can be formed thin in the direction of pressing the switch, and can be placed in the center of the device, so that it can be operated with one hand. Even in this case, the operation can be easily performed with both hands. In addition to the simple key pressing, event input can be performed by touching or sufficiently weakly pressing the touch key with the touch detection sensor.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For example, a touch position detection unit in which a touch position detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve, For example, a momentary type, an alternate type, or a lock type switch means for turning on or off the contact by physical movement or pressing other than the direction in which the finger moves on the locus used by the touch position detection sensor, and The state of the touch position on the locus by the touch position detecting means and the state of the contact point by the switch means are integrally detected, or the position information from the contact point on the locus by the touch position detecting means, and the switch It is a contact operation input device based on a contact detection system configured to detect on-off information of contacts by means in a unified manner. Specific touch position detection means and its circuit configuration are as follows. That is, many methods have been proposed for a touch panel that outputs a signal or voltage corresponding to the contact position mainly by contact and pressure sensing on the XY plane, and the specific configuration thereof will be described in detail below.

A configuration using electrostatic induction type detection means (capacitance type) as the touch position detection means will be described. This is because a plurality of capacitors C1 are interposed via non-conductors such as glass in order to detect contact with a finger or the like. , C2, C3,... And detects that the capacitance of each of the capacitors C1, C2, C3,. Here, capacitors C1, C2, C3, ...
Are continuously arranged under a predetermined locus. As shown in FIG. 1, the pulse generation circuit 1 applies the capacitors C1, C2, C3,.
A frequency signal generated from the CR phase-shift oscillation circuit 3 by applying a voltage sequentially through a scan drive circuit 2 incorporating a decoder and a counter is used as a frequency comparison circuit 4.
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, and the signal from the frequency comparison circuit 4 is compared with the reference signal from the control circuit 5. The reference signal is sent to the determination circuit 6 at the same time, and both signals are determined there, thereby detecting the capacitance of the capacitor changed by the contact and detecting the contact position of the finger.

If the structure using a movable electrode type detection means (movable electrode switch type) as a touch position detection means is demonstrated, as shown to Fig.2 (a), this will be continuously arrange | positioned on a locus | trajectory, for example, linear shape One of the electrode and the electrode disposed intermittently with a spacer 13 interposed therebetween is a movable electrode 14 and the other is a fixed electrode 15. The movable electrode 14 is crushed by a finger or the like. The contact point of the finger is detected from the energized position and time of the contact point.
In FIG. 2B, the counter 11 is activated by the control circuit 10 and the decoder 1
2 are sequentially detected as contacts S1, S2, S3,. At this time, the voltage is LOW at the contact portion turned on, and the contact point can be detected.

If a configuration using optical detection means (infrared detection type) as touch position detection means is described, this has a one-to-one correspondence as shown in FIG. 3 on both sides of a locus for detecting contact of a finger or the like. For example, a plurality of light emitting elements 20 such as infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light receiving element 21 such as a phototransistor are continuously arranged, and the light emitted from the light emitting elements 20 in order by the demultiplexer 22 is emitted. Is received by the light receiving element 21 in synchronization with the multiplexer 23. At this time, the light reception level of the light received by the light receiving element 21 is detected by the determination circuit 24, and the contact position of the finger is detected by determining the light level. A control circuit 25 is connected to the demultiplexer 22, the multiplexer 23, and the determination circuit 24 and controls each circuit function. If an AD converter 26, which is a portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 3, is interposed between the multiplexer 23 and the determination circuit 24, an analog value can be detected at the contact point. Detection accuracy can be improved. Furthermore, as another example of the optical detection means, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the light receiving element 21 and the light emitting element 20 are provided below each other in the contact position, or the light receiving element 21 and the light emitting element 20 are provided on both sides of the contact portion as shown in FIG. In addition, a push switch unit 47 described later may be disposed between the light receiving element 21 and the light emitting element 20.

If a configuration using resistance film type detection means (resistive film electrode type) as the touch position detection means is described, as shown in FIG. A potential distribution Q is generated by applying a drive voltage and a ground voltage to the first and second voltages. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, an electrode 3 made of a conductor is formed on the resistance film 30.
1 is arranged in the upper or lower portion in parallel with the resistance film 30, and the resistance film 30 and the parallel electrode 31 are brought into contact with each other by contact with a finger or the like, and the voltage changed by the contact is measured by the voltage measuring device 32. The position of the contact point is detected by measurement.
As described above, according to various detection means, the contact point is output as position data on a one-dimensional coordinate in which the locus corresponds to the trajectory on a one-to-one basis. The direction can be easily recognized by the movement of the fingertip, and the digital type can be recognized when the number of points is large.

A configuration using a DC resistance detection method as a touch position detection means will be described. For example, by applying a BA653 touch sensor having an input operation resistance of 2 MΩ and 7 circuits, a metal contact point as shown in FIG. A high resistance such as a finger touching across the switches SW1 to SW7 is detected, and the output levels OUT1 to OUT7 are set to HIGH, LO via the high resistance detection electronic switch module SM.
It is intended to change to a binary value of W, and is mainly used as a switch for detecting that the metal has been touched.

In addition, an electromagnetic induction method using a magnetic film instead of the resistance film, an ultrasonic detection method using an ultrasonic oscillation source instead of the infrared LED, and the like can be considered.

As the switch means, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a contact 42A is provided on a mounting substrate 49 disposed inside the housing P, and a skirt ring shape is formed so as to cover the contact 42A of the mounting substrate 49. A fan-shaped button-type push switch unit 47 is attached via an elastic body 55 of a rubber body, and a contact 42B facing the contact 42A of the mounting substrate 49 is provided on the lower surface of the push switch unit 47, while the push switch unit 47 The touch position detection unit 40 is arranged in an arc shape at one end of 47, and the touch position detection unit 40 and the cable socket of the touch position input unit 44 provided on the lower surface side of the mounting substrate 49 are connected via the cable K. The contacts 42A and 42B are brought into contact with each other when the push switch 47 is pressed, and the switch is turned on. Specifically, it can be applied to a click button used for a mouse of a personal computer or the like.

In addition, the touch position detection unit 40 of the touch position detection means, or the surrounding portion,
Alternatively, the light emitting body 43 that blinks in accordance with the state of contact detection may be sequentially disposed in the lower portion (see FIG. 9) where the touch position detection unit 40 can transmit light. For example, an electronic piano without a confirmation switch It can be applied to the volume of music equipment such as.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the switch means turns on or off only the contact 42 without touching the touch position detecting unit 40 with the fingertip, and interlocks with the pressing of the contact 42. At the same time, the touch position detection unit 40 may be always connected to the touch position detection unit 40 so that the touch position detection unit 40 is pressed, or FIGS. 10 (c), 10 (d),
As shown in (e), only the contact 42 is turned on or off without touching the touch position detection unit 40, and when the contact 42 is pressed, the touch position detection unit 40 is connected and pressed simultaneously. As a thing.

As shown in FIG. 19, the switch means is configured such that, for example, one end of the apex of a triangular cam body 70 is rotatably supported in the housing P so that the cam body 70 can be deviated in a horizontal plane. A swing cam mechanism is formed, and the contact point is turned on or off by pressing another triangular apex of the cam body 70 via the touch position detection unit 40.

When this embodiment is applied as a touch operation type electronic component with a push switch, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the fingertip is placed on the touch position detection unit 40 arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve. By touching, the touch position detection unit 4
A touch position input unit 44 that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to 0 is provided, and the touch position input unit 44 is held between the contact points of the touch position input unit 44 so as to move horizontally within a predetermined range. Is provided with a contact mounting board 45 having means for transmitting an electric signal or voltage, and a coil-like spring body 46 that presses the touch position input portion 44 in a constant horizontal direction in a normal state is interposed, The push switch portion 47 disposed on the contact mounting board 45 is operated by a so-called lateral slide type that pushes the touch position input portion 44 against the urging force of the spring body 46. .

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, an electrical signal corresponding to the touch position detection unit 40 is obtained by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit 40 arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve. Alternatively, a touch position input unit 44 for generating a voltage is provided,
A mounting substrate 49 having a tongue-shaped contact 51 connected to a fixed contact 48 for the touch position input unit 44 and a push switch unit 47 operated from above is provided on the upper surface, and a support unit 50 provided on the mounting substrate 49. Accordingly, the hinge-shaped swinging member 52 holding the touch position input portion 44 having the contact portion corresponding to the fixed contact 48 on the lower surface is supported by the support portion 50 in a state where the spring body 46 is interposed at the substantially central portion. The swinging member 52 is held so as to be swingable, and the push switch portion 47 is driven at the tip by pressing and swinging in the push-down direction against the elastic biasing force of the spring body 46 of the swinging member 52. A protrusion-like actuating body 53 provided at a part of the tip end side of 52 is formed, and when a sufficient pressure is applied to a member having the touch position detecting unit 40, the actuating body 53 pushes down the push switch unit 47. It may be. Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, a pair of section-like protrusions of actuating bodies 53 are formed on the left and right ends of the swinging member 52 to form a seesaw type, and a mounting board corresponding to the actuating bodies 53 is formed. A pair of push switch portions 47A on the side,
If 47B is provided, two types of input are possible with two push buttons.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 22 (a) to 22 (b), the touch position detection unit is configured by bringing a fingertip into contact with a touch position detection unit 40 arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve. A touch position input unit 44 that generates an electrical signal or voltage according to 40, and a mounting board 49 having a fixed contact 48 for the touch position input unit 44 and a push switch unit 47 operated from above arranged on the upper surface. Further, the support portions 60 suspended from both end sides or the center lower side of the touch position detection unit 40 are attached to the mounting substrate 49.
It is inserted into the guide shaft hole 61 provided above and is guided and supported so that it can be moved up and down, and the touch position detection unit 40 side is always touched so as to be elastically urged toward the locking portion 49A above the mounting substrate 49. For example, a coiled spring body 46 is interposed as an elastic body between the position input unit 44 and the mounting substrate 49, and sufficient pressure is applied to the touch position detection unit 40 against the elastic biasing force of the spring body 46. When added, the push switch unit 47 is pressed. 14B, the touch position detection unit 40 is formed in a push button shape, and a cylindrical guide shaft hole 61 in which a support unit 60 on the lower side of the touch position detection unit 40 is provided on the mounting substrate 49 is used. Is guided and supported so that it can be moved up and down
A coiled spring body 46 is interposed between the touch position input unit 44 and the mounting substrate 49. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15C to 15D, for example, when the push switch unit 47 has three points, it is suitable for character input of a personal computer, a word processor, or the like. At this time, both sides of the touch position input unit 44 are sandwiched by a pair of leaf springs 62, and in addition to pressing down the push switch unit 47A by applying downward pressure to the touch position detection unit 40. The touch position detecting unit 40 is tilted against the leaf spring 62 in two horizontal directions, thereby pressing one of the other two push switch units 47B and 47C. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the push switch portion 47 has two points, the lower end portion of the touch position input portion 44 is supported so as to be swingable in the left-right tilt direction. It is also possible to press one of the two push switch parts 47B and 47C arranged on the left and right of the touch position input part 44.

A touch position input unit 44 that generates an electrical signal or voltage according to the touch position detection unit 40 by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit 40 arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve is provided. As a connection method of a member that holds the touch position input unit 44, the touch position input unit 44 is inserted into a guide connecting member 54 having a recess or a hole provided in the touch position input unit 44 or a through hole. Part 4
The push switch unit 47 may be pushed by pushing the spring body 46 that pushes 4 in a certain direction against the urging force.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A to 16D, a touch position input unit 44 that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit 40 by bringing the fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit 40 is provided. The contact 42 is turned on or off by using, for example, a one-way push mechanism 90 on a member for urging or pressing the touch position input unit 44 in a certain direction. Alternatively, the push switch unit 47 may be pressed by pressing the touch position input unit 44 against a resilient biasing force against expansion or compression of the rubber-like elastic body. Or FIG.
As shown in (c), a projection 41 is provided on one side or both sides along the touch position detection unit 40 of the touch position detection unit as a switch unit, and the contact of the push switch unit 47 is turned on together with the projection 41 when pressed. It is supposed to be turned off.
Specifically, it can be applied to a click button used for a mouse of a personal computer or the like, or can be employed as a keyboard of a personal computer or a word processor. The touch-operated electronic parts with push switches as described above, for example, when used as a keyboard for a personal computer, word processor, etc., serve as sensors that sense the contact of the entire keyboard, By making the key top a contact sensor, the number of keys can be reduced. In addition, unlike conventional rotary operation type parts with push switches, the device itself can be made thin in the direction of pressing the switch, so it can be placed in the center of the device and can be operated with one hand. When incorporated, it can be easily operated with both hands. Note that the fingertip contact surface of the touch position detection unit 40 is provided with an uneven portion so that an input event can be easily recognized.

The touch position detection sensor may be arranged along a plurality of contact detection trajectories having the same or different transition units, or may be uniformly distributed in a wide band shape, or may be unevenly distributed. It can be configured by being distributed. Specifically, the distribution of the touch position detection sensor may be dense on both sides along the trajectory or in the middle of the trajectory, or may gradually become dense toward one end or the other end of the trajectory. You can freely adjust the place where you touch your finger with the touch of your finger, and the number of events can be changed. The touch position detection sensor may include two or three adjacent touch positions that detect at least one contact position.
It may be due to more than one sensor.

As shown in FIG. 18 (a), the means for pressing the push switch unit is pushed to a position opposite to the position where the touch position input unit 44 is arranged in a single device such as a mobile phone. The switch unit 47 may be provided, or may be adjacent to the touch position input unit 44 as shown in FIGS. 18B to 18D and FIG. That is, in FIG. 17A, a belt-like push switch unit 47 is arranged adjacent to the side surface of the mobile phone in parallel with the belt-like touch position input unit 44, and FIG. An arc-shaped touch position input unit 44 is disposed adjacent to the side surface of the mobile phone around 47. FIG.
FIG. 18B shows an arrangement in which a band-like touch position input unit 44 is provided in the vertical direction and a circular push switch unit 47 is arranged below the belt-like touch position input unit 44 in the center of the mobile phone. FIG. 18D shows a band-shaped touch position input unit 44 and a push switch unit 47 that are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. This is provided in a horizontal direction at the part, and a circular push switch part 47 is arranged below the part. Further, in FIGS. 18E and 18F, a push switch unit 47 is provided at the center of the circular or rectangular touch position input unit 44, and FIG. A push switch portion 47 is provided on the outer periphery, and various other modifications can be considered.

Also, if you want to make another input with a small contact pressure on the input key that simply turns the contact ON / OFF, or let the input device that simply turns the contact ON / OFF input an analog amount. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 21, for example, a small circular contact detection sensor 81 is attached to the key top 80, and a means for detecting one contact is provided (FIG. 20A). A plurality of contact detection sensors 81A, 8 in a rectangular panel shape, for example.
1B,... Are attached to provide a means for detecting contact (see FIG. 20B).
Alternatively, a rectangular touch panel 82 can be attached to the entire surface of the key top 80 to provide a means for detecting contact (see FIGS. 20C and 20D). Further, for example, a ring-shaped contact detection unit 83 is attached to the periphery of the upper surface of the key top 80 so as to be operated with a fingertip. When the key top 80 is pushed, the sensor contact 84 is joined ( (See FIGS. 20A to 20B), or conversely.

It is a circuit block diagram which shows the electrostatic induction type detection means in embodiment of this invention. The movable electrode type detection means in embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a circuit block diagram, (b) is sectional drawing. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the optical detection means 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 cross-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 the conceptual block diagram which showed the resistive film type | formula 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 switch means in embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a top view. It is a figure which shows the touch position detection part in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another switch unit according to the embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a pressed state of only the switch and a pressed state of the center portion of the touch position detection unit. It is a circuit block diagram which shows the direct current | flow resistance detection system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the contact operation type electronic component with a horizontal slide type push switch in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which similarly shows the other application example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch, (a) is a seesaw type, (b) is a hinge type, (c) is a front view of (b). It is sectional drawing which shows the further another application example of the contact operation type | mold electronic component with a push switch similarly, (a) is a planar type | mold electronic component, (b) and (c) show a button type | mold electronic component. Similarly, still another application example of a contact operation type electronic component with a push switch is shown. It is a perspective view which shows the further another application example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly. It is a perspective view which similarly shows the other application example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch, (a) is a strip | belt type, (b) is a circular type. It is the schematic which shows the other application example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly. It is the schematic which shows the other application example of the contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly. It is the schematic which shows the other application example as a contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly. It is the schematic which shows the other application example as a contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly. It is the schematic which shows the other application example as a contact operation type electronic component with a push switch similarly.

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, 10, 25 ... Control circuit 6, 24 ... Determination circuit 11 ... Counter 12 ... Decoder 20 ... Light emitting element 21 ... Light receiving element DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Demultiplexer 23 ... Multiplexer 26 ... AD converter 30 ... Resistive film 31 ... Electrode 40 ... Touch position detection part 41 ... Protrusion 42, 51 ... Contact 43 ... Light-emitting body 44 ... Touch position input part 45 ... Mounting board 46 with a contact ... Spring body 47 ... Push switch part 49 ... Mounting substrate 52 ... Oscillating member 53 ... Operating body 55 ... Elastic body

Claims (5)

Touch position detection means in which a touch position detection sensor is continuously arranged on a predetermined locus of a straight line, a plane curve, or a space curve, and physical directions other than the direction in which the finger moves on the locus used by the touch position detection sensor Switch means for turning on or off the contact by simple movement or pressing, and detecting the touch position state on the locus by the touch position detection means and the contact state by the switch means in an integrated manner A contact operation type input device characterized by the above. A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or a voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit A mounting board with a contact that has means for transmitting an electric signal or voltage between the touch position input unit and the contact of the touch position input unit, and the touch position input unit is kept horizontal in a normal state. A push body comprising: a spring body that presses in a direction; and a push switch portion disposed on a mounting board with a contact so as to operate by pushing the touch position input section against a biasing force of the spring body. Contact-operated electronic components with switches. A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit A mounting substrate having a fixed contact and a push switch unit operated from above on the upper surface, and a touch position input unit having a contact corresponding to the fixed contact on the lower surface while being swingably held by a support provided on the mounting substrate And a section-like protrusion actuating member provided at a part of the periphery of the member so as to drive the push switch unit at the tip by the swinging of the member. A touch-operated electronic component with a push switch, wherein the push switch is pressed when a sufficient pressure is applied to a certain member. A touch position input unit that generates an electrical signal or voltage corresponding to the touch position detection unit by bringing a fingertip into contact with the touch position detection unit arranged continuously on a straight line or a curve, and the touch position input unit And a mounting board having a push switch portion operated from above on the upper surface thereof, and a guide provided on the mounting substrate with support portions suspended from both ends or lower center of the touch position input portion. Between the touch position input section and the mounting board so as to be guided and supported so that it can be moved up and down by being inserted into the shaft hole, and to constantly urge and urge the touch position input section side to the locking section side above the mounting board. A contact with a push switch, wherein the push switch part is pressed when a sufficient pressure is applied to the touch position detection part against an elastic urging force of the elastic body. Operation type electronic Goods. A touch-operated electronic component with a push switch characterized by a touch panel attached to the key top.

Images