JP2006155091A - Input device, and mobile terminal provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of reducing the load applied to a hand or a finger, when holding a mobile equipment by one hand and operating it by the one hand. <P>SOLUTION: In this input device 6 provided to the mobile equipment 1 holdable by the one hand of the human being and operated by the hand and fingers holding the mobile equipment 1, the input device 6 provided with a plurality of keys is attached slidably to the mobile equipment 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and a portable terminal including the same.

  A conventional portable terminal will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the conventional portable terminal 100 is integrally provided with an operation unit 101 as an input device, and further includes a display unit 102, a speaker 103, a microphone 104, and the like.

  In an input device provided in a conventional portable device typified by a portable terminal shown in FIG. 17, it is common to hold the portable terminal with one hand and perform key operations with the thumb. For example, the operation unit 101 of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 17 includes 12 kinds of input keys composed of numeric keys 0 to 9 and * key and # key, and “clear”, “memo”, “manner”, and the like. A function key for calling up a function, a selection key, and a determination key are arranged. When inputting characters, the terminal is held by one hand, and the input key, function key, selection is selected with the thumb of one hand. A method of operating the key and the enter key is common.

  In such a conventional terminal, the key arrangement is not considered in consideration of an area where the operator can easily move his / her finger.

  That is, taking the operation of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 17 as an example, when operating a key (0, *, # key) close to the lower end of the operation unit 101, hold the mobile terminal 100 with the thumb. It must be operated with a slight bend. For this reason, the burden placed on the hands and fingers for performing the operation is increased, which may cause mental and physical fatigue.

  In addition, when operating keys close to the base of the thumb of the hand to be operated (keys 3, 6, 9, # for right hand operation, keys 1, 4, 7, * for left hand operation) The thumb must be bent or the terminal must be picked up more than when the keys near the lower end of 101 are operated. For this reason, when operating these keys, the thumb is in a cramped posture, and the burden on the hands and fingers that perform the operation is increased, which may cause mental and physical fatigue.

  In addition, fatigue accumulates in the hands and fingers that perform the operation, and there is a possibility that the terminal may be dropped and damaged when the terminal is picked up again. This problem has become more prominent as mobile terminals have become smaller and thinner in recent years. In addition, this problem appears particularly remarkably when a long time operation or frequent key operation is performed, such as a game or mail, and may cause mental and physical fatigue.

  In order to solve this problem, a terminal has been proposed that reduces the burden placed on the hand or finger performing the operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 18 shows a portable terminal device described in Patent Document 1.
In FIG. 18, when the user opens the first housing 201 and the second housing 202, the upper end of the operation unit 206 that is locked to the crank unit 208 provided in the first housing 201. Is pulled up, and the lower end of the operation unit 206 locked to the slide guide rail 209 provided in the second housing 202 slides forward, so that the operation unit 206 itself floats so as to cover the hinge unit 203 and is used. The input operation can be easily performed by moving to a position where the user can easily operate.
JP 2002-152355 A

  In the portable terminal device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a key (for example, a key such as #, *, 0, etc.) arranged near the lower end of the operation unit is a thumb by sliding the operation unit upward. It is possible to slightly reduce the burden on the thumb when operating away from the base of the head. However, the key that causes the greatest burden when operating the mobile terminal device is a key that bends the thumb and is close to the base of the thumb (for example, the keys of 3, 6, 9, and # for right hand operation, 1 for left hand operation, The burden on the thumb when operating the keys (4, 7, *) is not reduced. For this reason, when performing these operations, there is a possibility of giving mental and physical fatigue, which has been a factor of deteriorating the accuracy of the operations.

  Further, the above-described problem has occurred not only in the portable terminal device but also in a portable device such as a remote controller that holds the portable device with one hand and performs an input operation with the other hand.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and an input device that holds a portable device with one hand, reduces the mental and physical burden when operating with this one hand, and can be operated comfortably The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an input device according to the present invention is provided in a portable device that can be held by one human hand and is operated by a finger holding the portable device, and includes a plurality of keys. An input device is attached to the portable device so as to be slidable in a direction away from the base of the thumb of the hand holding the portable device.

  By adopting the above configuration, the input device can slide along a portable device equipped with the input device, so that the user can select the arrangement of the input device according to the size of the user's hand, the length of the finger, and the preference. Is possible. For this reason, when operating the key near the base of the thumb of the hand to perform the operation, it is not necessary to perform the operation by bending the thumb extremely, and the burden on the thumb can be reduced, so that the mental and physical burden can be reduced. Comfortable operation with reduced burden.

  Furthermore, the input device can be arranged as described above when the portable device is used, and the input device can be slid back when not in use, and the portable device including the input device can be stored compactly.

The input device may be slidable linearly with respect to the portable device.
With the above configuration, the input device can be linearly slid along the portable device equipped with the input device, so the input device can be easily configured according to the size of the user's hand, the length of the finger, and the preference. Can be arranged.

The input device may be slidable in a circular arc shape with respect to the portable device.
With the above configuration, the input device can slide in an arc along a portable device equipped with the input device, so that the user's hand size, finger length and preference, especially the movable range of the thumb, can be achieved. Accordingly, the input device can be arranged.

  In addition, the input device may further include a slide restricting unit capable of locking the slide of the input device with respect to the portable device at a predetermined position and releasing the locked state.

  With the above configuration, the input device can be placed semi-fixed according to the size of the user's hand, finger length, and preferences, preventing the input device from unintentionally sliding during use. In addition, more users can perform comfortable operations with reduced mental and physical burdens during operation.

  The input device may further include automatic slide means for sliding the input device from the first position to the second position with respect to the portable device.

  With the above configuration, since the input device automatically slides and moves to a predetermined position, it is possible to save the trouble of manually sliding the input device.

  The automatic slide means may further include a locking means for arbitrarily setting the position of the slide destination of the input device.

With the above configuration, it is possible to arbitrarily set the destination of the input device that slides automatically, so that it is possible to flexibly deal with the size and usage of the user's hand.
Further, the automatic slide means can further slide the input device from the first position to the third position, and the input device can be slid from the first position to the second position. You may provide the movement selection means to select whether to slide to a position.

  With the above-described configuration, the input device can be automatically slid in the optimum direction regardless of whether the portable device including the input device is held with the right hand or the left hand. For this reason, the input device can be slid to a position that does not place a burden on the hand or finger when operating with either the left or right hand, and comfortable operation that reduces the mental and physical burden during operation. Is possible.

  In the present invention, the arc does not necessarily have to be made of one center, and may be a combination of an arc and a straight line, or a combination of circles having a plurality of centers.

  According to the input device of the present invention, in any of the above-configured input devices, a comfortable operation that reduces the burden on the hands and fingers that perform the operation and reduces the mental and physical burden during the operation can be performed. It becomes possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same elements will be described using the same reference numerals.

(First embodiment)
1st Embodiment is described using FIG.1, FIG.2, FIG.3, FIG.4 and FIG.

  1 and 2 are perspective views showing a specific configuration of a portable information terminal as an example of a portable terminal equipped with an input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The portable information terminal 100 has functions such as a call, mail transmission / reception, and Internet connection, and includes a portable device 1 and an input device 6.

  The mobile device 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and an antenna 2 is provided at the upper end of the mobile device 1. The front surface 1a of the portable device 1 includes a speaker 3 that outputs sound, a sound input unit 4 that inputs sound, and a display unit 5.

  The input device 6 is provided with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and calling functions, and is slidably attached to the front surface 1 a of the portable device 1. FIG. 1 shows a state before the input device 6 slides with respect to the portable device 1 (for example, a state during storage), and FIG. 2 shows a state after the input device 6 slides with respect to the portable device 1 (for example, a state during use). ).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection state between the portable device 1 of the portable information terminal including the input device 6 and the input device 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A front surface 1a of the mobile device 1 is provided with a connection hole 11 communicating with the inside of the mobile device 1, and two projecting rails 12 extending in a straight line in the short direction of the mobile device 1 are provided in parallel. ing. The input device 6 is electrically connected to a circuit provided inside the mobile device 1 through a connection hole 11 through a conductive wire 13, and the connection hole 11 is used when the input device 6 slides on the front surface 1 a of the mobile device 1. The lead wire 13 and the connection hole 11 have a sufficient size (width) in the sliding direction so as not to interfere with the periphery of the connection hole 11 and prevent the input device 6 from sliding.

  On the other hand, the input device 6 can slide to an arbitrary position in the short direction with respect to the portable device 1 along the two rails 12.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the portable device 1 of the portable information terminal including the input device 6 and the input device 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention along the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in the figure, on the lower surface of the input device 6, there is a slide groove 14 as an engagement recess for fitting the rail 12 in a retaining state and allowing the portable device 1 to slide in the short direction. Are provided at positions corresponding to. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user operates the portable information terminal including the input device 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the right hand. As shown in the figure, when the input device 6 is operated with the right hand holding the portable device 1, the input device 6 can slide to the left along the short direction with respect to the portable device 1. Keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and calling functions can be arranged at optimal positions according to the size of the hand and the length of the finger.

  As described above, the input device 6 in the present embodiment can be slid to an arbitrary position parallel to the left and right with respect to the short direction of the mobile device 1 on the front surface 1 a of the mobile device 1. For this reason, when operating the key close to the base of the thumb of the hand to be operated, the input device is slid in the direction away from the base of the thumb, eliminating the need to bend the thumb and performing the operation. Can be reduced, and comfortable operation with reduced mental and physical burdens becomes possible.

  Note that the number of rails 12 in the present embodiment is not limited to two, and it is sufficient that the input device 6 does not become unstable when sliding on the portable device 1. Further, a groove may be provided on the surface of the portable device 1 and a rail as an engaging protrusion may be provided on the back surface of the input device 6. Further, it is sufficient that at least one of the rail or the groove is disposed over the entire sliding range of the input device 6, and by engaging a short recess or protrusion in the sliding direction with respect to the rail or the groove, A slide of the input device can be realized. And as long as the state where these are combined is realizable, even if a groove | channel, a rail, etc. are attached to either the input device 6 side or the portable apparatus 1 side, it becomes embodiment of this invention.

In addition, hemispherical depressions are provided intermittently in the length direction of the rail as slide restricting means, and hemispherical holding projections corresponding to the shape of the depressions are provided in the grooves so as to be able to protrude and retract, so that the relative sliding of the rails and grooves can be performed. Accordingly, the sliding of the input device 6 may be intermittently regulated by intermittently engaging the hemispherical depression and the holding projection.
(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described using FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the part similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of the portable information terminal 100 including the input device 26 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The portable information terminal 100 is capable of making calls, sending / receiving mails, and connecting to the Internet, and includes a portable device 21 and an input device 26.

  The portable device 21 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is connected on the front surface 21a of the portable device 21 to an input device 26 provided with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and calling functions. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a connection state between the portable device 21 and the input device 26 of the portable information terminal 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The front surface 21 a of the portable device 21 is provided with a connection hole 31, a slide groove 32 as a recess for sliding the input device 26, and a shaft hole 33 that serves as a rotation shaft of the input device 26.

  The input device 26 is electrically joined to a circuit provided inside the portable device 21 by a conductive wire 34 through a connection hole 31.

  The slide groove 32 provided on the front surface of the portable device 21 is provided in an arc shape with the shaft hole 33 as a center, and the input device 26 uses the shaft hole 33 as a central axis of rotation to arbitrarily connect the slide groove 32 along the slide groove 32. It can slide in a circular arc at the position. The connection hole 31 is sufficiently large so that the lead wire 34 does not prevent the input device 26 from sliding when the input device 26 slides on the front surface 21 a of the portable device 21.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the portable device 21 of the portable information terminal including the input device 26 and the input device 26 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  On the lower surface of the input device 26, a slide projection 35 as an engaging projection for sliding the input device 26 along the slide groove 32 and a shaft hole 33 are inserted and function as a slide rotation shaft of the input device 26. A rotating shaft 36 is provided. The slide protrusion 35 is slidably engaged with a slide groove 32 provided on the front surface 21a of the portable device 21, and the rotary shaft 36 and the shaft hole 33 are rotatably fitted, so that the input device 26 can slide. It is possible to slide along an arbitrary arc-shaped position centering on the shaft hole 33 along 32.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user operates the portable information terminal 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention with the right hand. As shown in the figure, when the portable device 21 is held with the right hand and the input unit 26 is operated, the input device 26 can slide in an arc shape with respect to the portable device 21, so Keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and calling functions can be arranged at the optimum positions according to the length of the keys.

  As described above, the input device according to the present embodiment can slide the input device 26 in an arc shape with respect to the mobile device 21 on the front surface 21a of the mobile device 21 and move it to an arbitrary position. For this reason, when operating a key close to the base of the thumb of the hand to be operated, it is not necessary to perform the operation by bending the thumb by sliding the input device 26 away from the base of the thumb. By reducing the burden, comfortable operation with reduced mental and physical burdens becomes possible.

Note that the number of the slide grooves 32 in the present embodiment is not limited to one, and may be as long as the input device 26 does not become unstable when sliding on the portable device 21.
(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment will be described using FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 with a focus on differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the part similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of the portable information terminal 100 including the input device 46 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The portable information terminal 100 is capable of making calls, sending / receiving mails, and connecting to the Internet, and includes a portable device 41 and an input device 46.

  The portable device 41 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is connected on the front surface 41a of the portable device 41 to an input device 46 provided with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and calling functions. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a connection state between the portable device 41 of the portable information terminal including the input device 46 and the input device 46 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The front surface 41 a of the portable device 41 is provided with a first slide groove 51 and a second slide groove 52 as a recess for sliding the input device 46. The first slide groove 51 and the second slide groove 52 are provided in a substantially arc shape concentric with the front surface 41a of the portable device 41, and the input device 46 can slide to any position along these grooves. It becomes.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state where the user holds the portable information terminal 100 in the third embodiment of the present invention with the left hand and operates the input device 46. As shown in the figure, when the portable device 41 is held with the right hand and the input device 46 is operated, the input device 46 can slide with respect to the portable device 41 in a substantially arc shape, and the center of the arc that can be slid is Since it can slide in the shape of an arc concentric with the arc, it is possible to place keys for inputting characters, symbols and numbers and calling functions at positions corresponding to the size of the user's hand and the length of the finger.

  As described above, in the input device according to the present embodiment, the input device 46 can slide on the front surface 41a of the portable device 41 in a substantially arc shape with respect to the portable device 41 and can be moved to an arbitrary position. . For this reason, when operating a key close to the base of the thumb of the hand to be operated, the input device 46 is slid away from the base of the thumb, so that it is not necessary to perform the operation by bending the thumb. It is possible to reduce the burden on the body and to perform a comfortable operation with a reduced mental and physical burden.

  Note that the first slide groove 51 and the second slide groove 52 in the present embodiment may be configured so that the input device 46 can slide, and may be replaced with rails instead of the grooves.

Further, the shapes of the first slide groove 51 and the second slide groove 52 in the present embodiment are not limited to these, so that the slide width of the upper portion of the input device 46 is larger than the lower portion. Any configuration that can slide is acceptable.
(Fourth embodiment)
The fourth embodiment will be described using FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the part similar to 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and 3rd Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  13 and 14 are diagrams showing a specific configuration of the portable information terminal 100 including the input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This portable information terminal 100 has functions capable of making calls, sending / receiving mails, and connecting to the Internet, is foldable, and includes a portable device 61 and an input device 66.

  The portable device 61 includes a first housing 62 having a speaker 3 that outputs sound and a display unit 5, and a second housing 63 having a sound input unit 4 that inputs sound. The first housing 62 and the second housing 63 are joined by a hinge portion 64 and can be folded. An antenna 2 is provided at the upper end of the portable device 61. An input device 66 provided with a plurality of keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and calling functions is connected to the front surface 63a of the second casing 63. Furthermore, the side surface of the portable device 61 is provided with a first button 65a and a second button 65b as movement selection means for selecting a direction in which the input device 66 automatically slides.

  These buttons 65a and 65b are used as follows. That is, when the user using the portable information terminal 100 holds the portable device 61 with the right hand and tries to operate the input device 66, the user pushes down the first button 65a protruding in the right direction of the portable device 61. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, the input device 66 can slide only in the left direction with respect to the portable device 61. On the other hand, when the portable device 61 is held with the left hand and the input device 66 is operated, the input device 66 can be slid only to the right with respect to the portable device 61 by pressing the second button 65b.

Next, embodiments of automatic slide means and movement selection means will be described in detail.
15 and 16 are diagrams conceptually showing a mechanism by which the input device 66 of the portable information terminal 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can automatically slide and select a sliding direction. FIG. 16 shows a state before the input device 66 is slid automatically.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the automatic sliding means includes a spring 72 that biases the input device 66 in the sliding direction, a rubber 71 connected to the spring 72, a moving plate 73, and locking and releasing of the moving plate 73. The stopper 74 and the latching | locking part 75 which determines the position after an automatic movement are provided. Further, the movement selecting means includes a first button 65a and a second button 65b.

  The input device 66 is connected to an intermediate portion of the spring 72 via a rubber 71 that can be bent in accordance with a sliding state. A moving plate 73 is fixed to both ends of the spring 72. On the other hand, a stopper 74 that can lock and release the moving plate 73 is provided on the portable device 61 side. The stopper 74 is connected to a first button 65a and a second button 65b in an interlocked state.

  By pressing these buttons 65a or 65b against the portable device 61, the corresponding stopper 74 unlocks the moving plate 73 and automatically slides to a predetermined position by the contraction force of the spring 72. Thereafter, the sliding movement is stopped at a predetermined position by the locking portion 75.

  The locking portion 75 includes a fixed portion 75a fixed to the portable device 61, and a movable locking portion 75b that is detachable with respect to the fixed portion 75a. The movable locking portion 75b can be placed at an arbitrary position. By moving it, the automatic slide destination of the input device 66 can be set to an arbitrary position. Therefore, the input device 66 can automatically slide to a predetermined position only by pressing the first button 65a or the second button 65b. This saves the user from manually sliding the input device 66. Furthermore, by moving the position of the movable locking portion 75b of the locking portion 75, the operation portion is automatically moved to a position corresponding to the size of the user's hand or the length of the finger simply by pressing the buttons 65a and 65b. It becomes possible to arrange.

  As described above, the input device according to the present embodiment presses the first button 65a or the second button 65b, whereby the input device 66 is moved to the portable device 61 on the front surface 63a of the second housing 63. Can be automatically slid and moved to any position. For this reason, in addition to being able to reduce the burden on the thumb when performing the operation, it is possible to save the user from manually sliding the input device 66, thereby further reducing the mental and physical burden. This makes it possible to perform comfortable operations.

  Note that the positions of the first button 65 a and the second button 65 b in the present embodiment are not limited to the side surfaces of the mobile device 61, but may be any positions that can be easily pressed when the user holds the mobile device 61.

  In addition, the spring 73 in the present embodiment is not limited to a coil spring, and may be an elastic body that can freely expand and contract.

  Further, the rubber 71 in the present embodiment is not necessarily made of rubber, and may be any material that can be deformed in accordance with the sliding state of the input device 66.

  In addition, the mounting position of the antenna 2 in the present embodiment is not limited to the above position, and may be mounted anywhere as long as it does not hinder communication.

  Furthermore, if the latching part 75 in this embodiment is comprised with materials, such as a magnet, and if it can couple | bond with the moving board 73, the slidable input device 66 can be fixed, and it can bring a bigger effect. Become.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the operation unit according to the present invention is not limited to one in which keys are configured by hardware such as buttons, but is configured by software such as a touch panel. It may be a thing.

  In addition, the sliding state of the operation unit is not limited to the one shown in the above embodiment, and if the operation unit slides with respect to the mobile device, the operation unit slides in an arbitrary locus other than sliding linearly or arcuately. May be.

  Furthermore, in the input device according to the present invention, the audio output unit shown in the above embodiment may be arranged on the operation unit.

  The input device according to the present invention has a feature that reduces a burden on a hand or a finger that performs an operation, and is useful as an input key of a mobile phone. Further, it can be applied to uses such as a remote controller and a game machine used for operating devices.

It is a perspective view which shows before the input device of the portable information terminal in 1st Embodiment of this invention slides. It is a perspective view which shows after the input device of the said portable information terminal slides. It is the figure which isolate | separated the input device of the said portable information terminal, and the portable apparatus, and showed the electrical connection state. It is sectional drawing seen from the side which isolate | separated the input device and portable apparatus of the said portable information terminal, and showed with these electrical connection states. It is a figure which shows a mode that the user is operating the said portable information terminal with the right hand. It is a perspective view which shows the portable information terminal provided with the input device in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which isolate | separated the input device of the said portable information terminal, and the portable apparatus, and showed the electrical connection state. It is sectional drawing seen from the side which isolate | separated the input device and portable apparatus of the said portable information terminal, and showed with these electrical connection states. It is a figure which shows a mode that the user is operating the said portable information terminal with the right hand. It is a perspective view which shows the portable information terminal provided with the input device in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which isolate | separated the input device of the said portable information terminal, and the portable apparatus, and showed the electrical connection state. It is a figure which shows a mode that the user is operating the said portable information terminal with the left hand. It is a figure which shows before the input device of the portable information terminal provided with the input device in 4th Embodiment of this invention slides. It is a figure which shows after the input device of the said portable information terminal slides. It is a figure which shows the automatic slide mechanism of the said input device in detail. It is a figure which shows after an input device slides by the said automatic slide mechanism. It is a general-view figure which shows the portable information terminal provided with the conventional input device. It is a figure of the conventional portable terminal device described in patent documents 1.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 41, 61 Mobile device 2 Antenna 3 Speaker 4 Audio input unit 5 Display unit 6, 26, 46, 66 Input device 11, 31 Connection hole 12 Rail 13, 34 Conductor 14, 32, 51, 52 Slide groove 33 Shaft hole 35 Slide projection 36 Rotating shaft 62, 63 Housing 64 Hinge portion 65a, 65b Button 71 Rubber 72 Spring 73 Moving plate 74 Stopper 75 Locking portion 100 Portable information terminal

Claims (9)

An input device provided in a portable device that can be held by one human hand and operated by a finger holding the portable device,
An input device having a plurality of keys is attached to the portable device so as to be slidable in a direction away from a base of a thumb of a hand holding the portable device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is slidably attached linearly to the portable device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is slidably attached to the portable device in an arc shape.   The input device includes an engagement protrusion that engages with a recess provided in the portable device or an engagement recess that engages with a protrusion provided in the portable device. The input device according to claim 1. The input device further includes:
The input according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a slide restricting unit that locks the slide of the input device with respect to the portable device at a predetermined position and releases the locked state. apparatus. The input device further includes:
5. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic slide unit that slides the input device from a first position to a second position with respect to the portable device. The automatic sliding means further includes
The input device according to claim 6, further comprising a locking unit that arbitrarily sets a position of a slide destination of the input device. The automatic sliding means further includes
The input device is slidable from a first position to a third position;
The input device according to claim 6, further comprising movement selection means for selecting whether to slide the input device from the first position to the second position or to move to the third position.   The portable terminal provided with the input device of any one of Claims 1-8.

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