JP2006259409A - Input device of electronic musical instrument or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel which displays operator figures on a display screen to allow a user to perform input operation, the touch panel being made flexible so that the user can perform the input operation not visually and cope with any arrangement of the operator figures to some extent. <P>SOLUTION: On the touch panel (3) comprising a display screen where the operator figures can variably be displayed and a light-transmissive switch array layer, a tactile sensation operation layer (12) is arranged which has a plurality of projections (12c) or recesses on its top surface side in an array to obtain plane coordinate positions and is so flexible as to bend downward according to applied depression and restore itself upward when the depression is removed. It is possible to perceive plane coordinate positions on the display screen of the touch panel by touching projections or recesses on the top surface of the tactile sensation operation layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device in a musical performance-related device such as an electronic musical instrument using a touch panel that allows a user to perform an input operation by displaying an operator graphic on a display screen, and improves the input operation without relying on vision. About what you did.

  Conventionally, in an electronic musical instrument, various functions can be selected and set by operating a hardware (physical) switch. The switch to be operated has a protrusion or dent on the panel so that the position can be searched by hand. Even for visually impaired users, if the operation procedure is known, the setting operation of the electronic musical instrument is managed. It was something that could be done. However, in recent electronic musical instruments, parts can be shared among models, but the setting function between devices can be made flexible, the design can be refreshed, and the space on the panel can be used effectively. For this reason, a touch panel having both a display function and a switch function is used to display a tab switch figure (control element figure) on the display screen, and the input of the switch is performed by pressing the displayed tab switch figure. An increasing number of models use so-called soft switches that enable operation. However, in an electronic musical instrument employing such a touch panel, it is difficult for a visually impaired person to recognize the position of the displayed operator graphic, so that a desired setting operation or the like is performed alone. In particular, there is a problem that a great deal of difficulty occurs.

By the way, as a touch panel type input device devised so that it can be operated even by a visually impaired person, various devices are considered as shown in the following patent documents. However, nothing has been devised so that the operator graphic can be handled in any arrangement. Therefore, there is no one suitable for simple application to an existing touch panel.
JP 11-338342 A JP 7-319623 A JP 2004-54827 A JP 2003-67119 A JP 2002-304255 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-13868 JP-A-10-255106 JP-A-8-329314 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81321

The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In an input device in an electronic musical instrument or the like using a touch panel that displays an operator graphic on a display screen and allows a user to perform an input operation, the input operation is performed without relying on vision. It is intended to provide a versatile one so that the operator graphic can be adapted to some extent in any arrangement.

  An input device in an electronic musical instrument or the like according to the present invention includes a display screen that can variably display various operator figures related to various selections, settings, or operations in the electronic musical instrument or the like in any arrangement, and overlaps the display screen On-operation for an operator graphic displayed corresponding to the switch position by detecting a press against an arbitrary switch position by the switch array layer. A touch panel that detects the occurrence of the failure, and a plurality of protrusions or dents arranged on the touch panel and capable of grasping a plane coordinate position on the upper surface side, and bends downward in response to an applied pressure. And a tactile sensation operating layer having flexibility that returns upward when the pressing is released, and the touch panel displays the tactile sensation of the protrusions or depressions on the upper surface of the tactile sensation operating layer. As can be inferred perceptible plane coordinates position of the surface, it is characterized in that it has to be done to aid in the selective pressing operation on the operator graphic.

According to the present invention, the tactile sensation operation layer disposed on the touch panel has a plurality of protrusions or dents on the upper surface side in an arrangement capable of grasping the plane coordinate position, and bends downward according to an applied pressure. Since the touch panel is made of a flexible material that returns upward when the pressure is released, the user does not rely on the sight, and the touch screen display screen has a tactile sensation on the upper surface of the tactile sensation operation layer. The plane coordinate position can be perceived by analogy. Therefore, this analogy perception provides support or assistance in the case of a selective pressing operation on a desired operator graphic displayed on the touch panel, and even a visually impaired user can use the touch panel in an electronic musical instrument or the like. On the other hand, various selections, settings or operations can be easily performed. In particular, since the tactile sensation operation layer has a plurality of protrusions or dents on the upper surface side in an arrangement that can grasp the plane coordinate position, it has versatility, and the position of the displayed operator graphic on the screen Even if there are various sizes or shapes, it is possible to find the arrangement appropriately. Therefore, the input device of the present invention can be applied to various different touch panels in which various types of operator graphic figures may be used. In other words, it is possible to provide a general-purpose configuration so that the operator graphic can cope with any arrangement to some extent, and is suitable for simple application to an existing touch panel. It should be noted that, on a specific display screen, what kind of function operator graphic is located and in which arrangement (coordinate position or range) is guided by voice or other non-visual notification means, and the guide With reference to the above, the planar coordinate position or range corresponding to the position of the desired operator graphic can be tactilely grasped from the arrangement of a plurality of protrusions or depressions in the tactile manipulation layer.

As an example, the tactile sensation operation layer is held by an outer frame having a size substantially corresponding to the outer periphery of the touch panel, and is attached to the outer periphery of the touch panel via the outer frame. Thereby, it becomes easy to attach a tactile sensation operation layer to a touch panel such as an existing electronic musical instrument through the outer frame body. Also, depending on the thickness of the outer frame body, an appropriate gap can be formed between the tactile sensation operation layer and the touch panel so that the tactile sensation operation layer does not contact the touch panel when not pressed. It also helps to prevent malfunction.

  As an example, the tactile sensation manipulation layer may be formed by arranging a plurality of protrusions or depressions on a flexible sheet. As another example, the tactile sensation operation layer includes an outer frame body having a size substantially corresponding to an outer periphery of the touch panel, a plurality of linear bodies stretched on the outer frame body, and predetermined lines in each linear body. It may be composed of a plurality of protrusions fixed at a location. Thus, the tactile sensation manipulation layer can be formed of various structures or materials. In addition, if the tactile sensation operation layer has translucency, the display screen can be visually recognized with the tactile sensation operation layer placed on the touch panel, and a user who is not visually impaired can use this input device as it is. Become.

Furthermore, a plurality of protrusions may be provided in an appropriate arrangement on the lower surface side of the tactile sensation operation layer. Such a protrusion arrangement on the lower surface of the tactile sensation operation layer can be an auxiliary means for more reliably pressing the touch panel below the desired position of the tactile sensation operation layer.
In the present invention, “electronic musical instrument and the like” is a term encompassing all electronic devices and devices related to music performance such as an electronic musical instrument, an automatic performance device, and an effect imparting device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an appearance example of an electronic musical instrument to which the input device according to the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the electronic musical instrument. Since such an electronic musical instrument itself may be known, it will be briefly described here.
The keyboard-type operator group 1 is composed of a plurality of known music playing keys. When an arbitrary operator (key) is operated at an arbitrary timing, a musical tone having a pitch corresponding to the position (key) of the operator in real time. Can be pronounced.
The panel operator group 2 is composed of a plurality of independent mechanical operators (switches, volumes, etc.), and is related to musical performance with functions (single function or multi-function) assigned to each operator. This is for performing selection or setting.

The touch panel 3 is arranged so as to overlap a display screen 31 that can variably display various operator graphics related to various selections, settings, or operations in the electronic musical instrument in an arbitrary arrangement. It has a known structure composed of a translucent switch array layer 32. In the switch array layer 32, a large number of flat touch switches having an appropriate detection method such as a pressure-sensitive type are arranged in a matrix. By detecting a press against an arbitrary switch position by the switch arrangement layer 32, it is detected that an on operation is performed on the operator graphic displayed on the display screen 31 corresponding to the switch position. The display screen 31 is typically composed of a flat panel display such as liquid crystal. Of course, the display screen 31 is also used for purposes other than displaying the operator graphic (for example, musical score display).

As shown in FIG. 2, the display screen 31 and the switch array layer 32 of the touch panel 3 are connected to a bus 9 of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4, and display of the operator graphic on the display screen 31 and the switch array layer 32. The on / off switch position detection / determination in FIG. 5 and the determination of which operator graphic is turned on based on this are performed by the CPU 4 executing a predetermined software program. Then, the CPU 4 performs processing on the assumption that an input related to selection, setting, or operation of the function assigned to the operator graphic determined to be turned on in this way has been made. In addition, as related to the CPU 4, as is well known, a ROM 5, a RAM 6, a timer 7, a storage device 8, and the like are provided and connected via a bus 9. A keyboard type operator group 1 and a panel operator group 2 are also connected to the CPU 4 via the bus 9. Further, a musical tone signal or an automatic performance sound played by pressing a key on the keyboard-type operator group 1 is set in advance by a tone color or an effect set or selected by the panel operator group 2 or the touch panel 3 or the like. A sound source device 10 is connected to the sound source device 10 via the bus 9 so as to be generated by a tone color, an effect, and the like, and a musical sound signal generated by the sound source device 10 is acoustically generated via the sound system 11. The left and right speakers 11 a and 11 b shown in FIG. 1 are components of the sound system 11. The sound system 11 is also used to generate a guide voice in addition to the musical sound. The storage device 8 representatively shows all storage media such as a built-in hard disk and a removable storage medium. A software program for executing processing related to the present invention and display image information related thereto (including display data of the operator graphic) are stored in the storage device 8 or the ROM 5. Further, data and information that need to be temporarily stored in the process of executing the processing related to the present invention are stored in the RAM 6.

The input device according to the present invention is configured by arranging a novel tactile sensation operation layer proposed in the present invention on the touch panel 3. FIG. 3 shows a tactile sensation operation sheet 12 which is an embodiment of a tactile sensation operation layer to be disposed on such a touch panel 3, wherein (a) is a schematic plan view and (b) is a schematic cross sectional view. . The tactile sensation operation sheet 12 includes an outer frame body 12a having a size substantially corresponding to the outer periphery of the touch panel 3, and a flexible sheet surface 12b held by the outer frame body 12a. On the upper surface of 12b, a plurality of protrusions 12c are provided in an array that can grasp the plane coordinate position on the touch panel 3. In the example of FIG. 3, the protrusion 12d is provided in an appropriate arrangement (for example, at the same position as the upper protrusion 12c) on the lower surface of the sheet surface 12b, but this is not essential. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a total of 24 protrusions 12c are provided in a 4 × 6 matrix. Generally, the number or arrangement of the tactile sensation operation sheets 12, that is, the tactile sensation operation layer protrusions 12 c need not be as large or fine as the number or arrangement of the matrix touch switches in the switch arrangement layer 32 of the touch panel 3, and at least on the display screen 31. It is only necessary to be able to cope with the arrangement of the minimum units of various operator graphic figures that are scheduled to be displayed. Any method may be used for forming the protrusions 12c and 12d on the sheet surface 12b. For example, the projections 12c and 12d made of an appropriate material such as rubber may be bonded to the sheet surface 12b made of synthetic resin or the like. Alternatively, the sheet surface 12b and the protrusions 12c and 12d may be integrally formed with a synthetic resin or the like.

Any means may be used to attach the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 to the touch panel 3, that is, the tactile sensation operation layer may be attached in a semi-fixed manner so as to be detachable, or may not be easily removed by an adhesive or the like. You may attach to. For example, when no special attachment means is prepared on the touch panel 3 side, a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive is attached to the lower surface of the outer frame body 12a of the tactile operation sheet 12, and the touch panel 3 is bonded to the outer periphery via these. What should I do? Alternatively, a hook-and-loop fastener may be used instead of the adhesive tape or the adhesive. In such a case, the certain level of the outer frame body 12a of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 serves to provide a certain amount of clearance between the lower surface of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 and the upper surface of the touch panel 3. The tactile sensation operation sheet 12 is prevented from touching the touch panel 3 when not pressed, thereby contributing to prevention of malfunction.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 1, an example in which special attachment means (the locking piece 13) is prepared on the touch panel 3 side is shown. In the electronic musical instrument, locking pieces 13 are respectively formed on the four sides of the outer peripheral edge of the touch panel 3, and as shown in the partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the touch panel 3 in FIG. A groove 13a is formed inward so that the outer frame body 12a can be inserted. The tactile sensation operation sheet 12 can be detachably attached to the touch panel 3 by inserting the outer frame body 12a of each side of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 into the grooves 13a of the four-side engagement pieces 13. In the example of FIG. 4, it is shown that the surface of the touch panel 3 is somewhat lower than the height of the groove 13 a of the locking piece 13. Even with such a structure, a certain degree of clearance can be formed between the lower surface of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 and the upper surface of the touch panel 3 as described above. That is, in this case, even if the height of the lower surface of the outer frame body 12a in the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 is not much different from the height of the lower surface of the sheet surface 12b, the clearance can be formed.

According to the configuration in which the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 is arranged on the touch panel 3 in this way, a plurality of projections 12c are provided on the upper surface in an arrangement that allows the plane coordinate position on the touch panel 3 to be grasped. The planar coordinate position of the display screen 31 of the touch panel 3 can be analogically perceived by the tactile sensation of 12c. As will be described later, the user (operator) can operate without relying on sight by notifying the user (operator) of the arrangement and functions of the operator graphic displayed on the display screen 31 non-visually. It is possible to make the user (operator) recognize the coordinate position or area on the touch panel 3 of the operator graphic that desires the operator. Based on this recognition, the user (operator) can understand that the area around the protrusion 12c arranged in the mth row from the top in the nth column from the left should be pressed, and the protrusion 12c of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 can be pressed. By touching the array, it is possible to reach the place to be pressed, that is, the position of the protrusion 12c arranged in the mth row from the top in the nth column from the left. Then, when the protrusion 12c (or the vicinity thereof) is pushed down at the place where the finger has reached, the flexible sheet surface 12b is lowered only at the pushed-down place, and the touch panel 3 below is pushed at the pushed-down place. As a result, when the switch-on is detected at the switch position of the switch array layer 32 corresponding to the pressed position, and the operator graphic displayed corresponding to the switch-on position is turned on, the processing program executed by the CPU 4 Is determined by When the pressure on the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 is released, the sheet surface 12b returns to its original flat state due to its elasticity. Thereby, it is determined by the processing program executed by the CPU 4 that the touch panel 3 is released and the corresponding operator graphic is turned off.

Here, if a downward projection 12d as shown in FIG. 3B is provided on the lower surface side of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12, the touch panel 3 can be reliably pressed with a small stroke amount at the time of depression. In that case, the protrusion 12d on the lower surface is not necessarily provided in the same position and in the same position as the protrusion 12c on the upper surface. Rather, the pressure on the touch panel 3 may increase the certainty when the size of the protrusion 12d on the lower surface is somewhat larger. However, the presence of the projection 12d on the lower surface, on the other hand, narrows the clearance with the touch panel 3, so that an operation error may easily occur. Further, the object of the present invention can be achieved without providing the lower surface protrusion 12d. Therefore, the protrusion 12d on the lower surface is an option that may be appropriately adopted as necessary in the implementation of the present invention.

In order to make it easier for the user (operator) to reach the protrusions 12c arranged in the mth row in the nth column by hand without relying on visual sense, that is, by tactile sensation, It is preferable to form a three-dimensional scale or a mark or a notch at a position corresponding to each row and each column of the frame body 12a. By doing so, it is possible to prevent as much as possible an error that strongly pushes the unnecessary protrusion 12c during the hand search. That is, since the outer frame body 12a can be strongly touched with a finger, a desired matrix position can be grasped from the vertical and horizontal three-dimensional scales of the outer frame body 12a, and the protrusion 12c at the intersection or the vicinity thereof can be strongly pressed. .

  In FIG. 3, symbols such as “a1” and “a2” written on the tops of the respective protrusions 12c are information given for convenience in order to identify the coordinate positions (matrix positions) of the respective protrusions 12c. Although it is not indispensable to assign such coordinate position identification information (so-called coordinate addresses) to each projection 12c, the arrangement and functions of the operator graphic displayed on the display screen 31 are informed to the user non-visually. May be useful to. For example, instead of reporting “first from the left and first from the top”, it is sufficient to report “a-1”. Such a symbol indicating a coordinate address does not need to be visually visibly marked on the top of each projection 12c, but may be marked on the other hand. Alternatively, a symbol indicating such a coordinate address may be engraved on the top of each projection 12c in braille or a three-dimensional symbol. However, in order to increase the cost, the three-dimensional scale of the outer frame 12a is used. It seems that the effect cannot be demonstrated.

If the sheet surface 12b of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 has translucency, the display screen 31 can be visually recognized in a state where the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 is placed on the touch panel 3, and a user who is not visually impaired can also recognize the display screen 31. This input device can be used as it is. Further, the outer frame body 12a is not necessarily required, and may be omitted when a material having a certain degree of waist is used as the seat surface 12b.

In the control system of the electronic musical instrument, the introduction of the input device according to the present invention does not require much change. Preferably, the display switching of the display screen 31 is to inform the user (operator) of the arrangement and function of one or more operator graphic figures currently displayed on the display screen 31 of the touch panel 3 in a non-visual manner. It is preferable to provide a configuration that is performed in conjunction with software and / or hardware. This point will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 simply shows a main flow of processing executed by the CPU 4 of the electronic musical instrument shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and generally includes known processing. When the electronic musical instrument is turned on, the main flow is started and the process is repeated until the power is turned off. Briefly, first, in step S1, an “initialization” process for setting the state of various registers and the like to a predetermined initial state is performed. In the next step S2, the panel operation of the electronic musical instrument is detected, and if it is detected that some operation has been performed, the “panel processing” subroutine shown in FIG. 6 is executed. The detection of the panel operation of the electronic musical instrument refers to detecting whether or not any operation is performed on the panel operator group 2 and the touch panel 3. In the next step S3, it is detected whether or not the keyboard type operator group 1 and other performance operators (wheels, pedals, etc.) have been operated (whether there has been a performance event), and sound generation is started according to the detected performance event. "Performance acceptance processing" for performing processing such as / mute / setting / control. For example, sound generation start processing including sound channel assignment is performed when a key-on event is detected, sound generation stop processing is performed when a key-off event is detected, and modulation is performed when a wheel operation event is detected. In the next step S4 (sound generation process), a tone signal is generated and generated by the tone generator 10 in accordance with the “performance reception process”.

  In the “panel processing” subroutine shown in FIG. 6, in step S <b> 5, it is determined whether there has been a pressing operation (or pressing release) event on the touch panel 3. If yes, go to step S6, if no, go to step S11. In step S <b> 6, the coordinate position that is pressed (or released) on the touch panel 3 is specified based on the output of the switch array layer 32. In step S7, it is determined from the coordinate data of the pressing operation (or pressing release) position specified as described above which of the operator graphic currently displayed on the display screen 31 has been turned on (or off). . This can be done by referring to a table indicating the coordinate position or area of each operator graphic on the current display screen 31. In the next step S8, input information corresponding to the on (or off) operation of the determined operator graphic is generated, and processing corresponding to the input information is executed according to the input information. For example, if a timbre is selected, timbre selection input information is generated and the selected timbre is set in the sound source device 10, and if a tune is selected, a tune selection input information is generated and a song corresponding to the selected tune is selected. Processing such as reading data from the storage device 8 and setting it in the RAM 6 is performed. In the next step S9, a process of changing the display content on the display screen 31 in response to the current panel operation is performed (new image data is generated and the generated image data is displayed on the display screen 31 of the touch panel 3). To do).

  In the next step S10, the arrangement and function of one or more operator figures currently displayed on the display screen 31 of the touch panel 3 corresponding to the new display content on the display screen 31 are non-visually expressed by voice or the like. To the user (operator). For example, if the current display content on the display screen 31 is as shown in FIG. 7A and the correspondence between this and each projection 12c of the tactile operation sheet 12 is as shown in FIG. The tab of strings 1 is at positions a3 and b3. The tab of strings 2 is at positions c3 and d3. Such a voice guide is not only pronounced in step S10, but also a predetermined voice guide confirmation switch is provided as appropriate, or its operator graphic is always displayed at a predetermined corner of the display screen 31 or the like. It should be noted that when the voice guide confirmation switch or the operator graphic is turned on, the sound may be generated at any time. In this way, the user (operator) can grasp in which coordinate position or area on the touch panel 3 the operator graphic having the desired function is displayed without relying on vision. Such voice guide information may be stored together in a table indicating the display coordinate position or area of each of the above-described operator graphic figures.

  As is well known, the display content of the display screen 31 changes variously. For example, even if it is as shown in FIG. 7A in a certain situation, the display content is changed as shown in FIG. 8A in another situation. FIG. 8B shows a correspondence relationship between the projections 12c of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 in an arrangement in which the plane coordinate position can be recognized. As shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, even if the arrangement of the operator graphic on the display screen 31 changes variously due to the coordinate or matrix arrangement of the projections 12c of the tactile sensation operation sheet 12, any one of the projections 12c. Is associated with one of the operator graphics. In FIGS. 7 and 8, shaded blocks indicate operator graphics.

Returning to FIG. 6, if step S <b> 5 is NO, it means that the operation of the panel operator group 2 has been performed. In step S11, the function assigned to the operator (mechanical operator) operated by the panel operator group 2 is read and executed. In the next step S12, it is determined whether or not to perform image processing in relation to the executed function (whether or not the display on the touch panel 3 should be switched). If so, the process goes to step S9 to respond accordingly. Image data is created and displayed on the touch panel 3. If it is not necessary to perform processing relating to the image, this panel processing is terminated.

Next, another embodiment of the tactile sensation operation layer according to the present invention will be described.
The tactile sensation operation layer 20 shown in FIG. 9 includes an outer frame body 20a having a size substantially corresponding to the outer periphery of the touch panel 3, a plurality of linear bodies 20b stretched on the outer frame body 20a, and predetermined lines in each linear body 20b. And a plurality of protrusions 20c fixed at the locations. The linear body 20b may be made of an elastic thread or string. In the illustrated example, the linear body 20b is composed of a plurality of warp yarns and one weft yarn. There may be. The protrusion 20c may be formed of, for example, a bead ball, but is not limited thereto, and other appropriate materials may be used. The coordinate arrangement of the protrusions 20c shown in FIG. 9 is somewhat different from that shown in FIG. 3, but the arrangement is such that the plane coordinate position on the touch panel 3 can be grasped. That is, in the electronic musical instrument according to this embodiment, the operator graphic displayed in the arrangement corresponding to the top row of the matrix arrangement of the protrusions 20c in the tactile sensation operation layer 20 is the upper right in the screen of FIG. , The projection 20c corresponding to the top row of the matrix arrangement of the projections 20c in the tactile sensation operation layer 20 is as follows. Only two of these operator graphic elements are provided. In FIG. 9, these two protrusions 20c are arranged in a column different from the matrix of the other protrusions. This is because more reliable pressing can be performed in consideration of the arrangement of the operator graphic underneath. However, these two protrusions 20c may be arranged in the same column without being arranged in a column different from the matrix of the other protrusions.

A tactile sensation operation sheet 21 (that is, a tactile sensation operation layer) shown in FIG. 10 has a flexible sheet surface 21b, similar to the tactile sensation operation sheet 12 in FIG. A plurality of projections 21c are provided in an array that can grasp the upper plane coordinate position. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, even though the arrangement of the plurality of protrusions 21c in the tactile sensation operation sheet 21 is a matrix arrangement, the arrangement of the protrusions 21c in each row or each column is not uniform and is offset alternately. ing. That is, the arrangement position of the protrusions 21c in each row in the a column, c column, e column, and g column is slightly higher than the arrangement position of the protrusions 21c in each row in the b column, d column, f column, and h column. Are offset as shown. With the arrangement of the projections 21c thus offset, the relative arrangement of the projections 21c in the entire two-dimensional coordinates of the tactile sensation operation sheet 21 can be easily perceived (distinguished) tactilely. In addition, the arrangement of the projections 21c offset in this way can also be expected to have an effect that the adjacent projections do not get in the way and are easy to push. The arrangement of the offset protrusions 21c does not have to be alternated as in the illustrated example, and may be every two, every three, or the like, in other words, the protrusions in at least one row or column. A similar effect can be expected if the arrangement of 21c is offset by an appropriate amount relative to the other. Such an array of offset protrusions 21c can also be applied to a tactile sensation operation layer 20 of a type in which a protrusion 20c is provided on a linear body 20b as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a tactile sensation operation sheet 22 (that is, a tactile sensation operation layer) according to another embodiment in cross section. In this embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 22c, 22c ′ are provided in an array that can grasp the plane coordinate position on the touch panel 3 as in the above embodiments, but the protrusions 22c, 22c in each row or each column are provided. The height of 'is not uniform, but varies alternately. In the illustrated example, the protrusion 22c is low and the protrusion 22c ′ is high. Thus, the arrangement of the protrusions 22c and 22c ′ having different heights allows the relative arrangement of the protrusions 22c and 22c ′ in the entire two-dimensional coordinates of the tactile sensation operation sheet 22 to be tactilely perceived (differentiated). It becomes easy. The arrangement of the protrusions 22c and 22c ′ having different heights does not have to be alternated as in the illustrated example, and may be every two or every three, in other words, at least one protrusion. The same effect can be expected if 22c and 22c ′ are different in height from others. Further, such an arrangement of the protrusions 22c and 22c ′ having different heights can be applied to the tactile sensation operation layer 20 having a configuration in which the protrusion 20c is provided on the linear member 20b as shown in FIG.

The tactile sensation operation sheet 23 (that is, the tactile sensation operation layer) shown in FIG. 12 has a flexible sheet surface 23b similar to the tactile sensation operation sheet 21 in FIG. 10, and the touch panel 3 is provided on the upper surface of the sheet surface 23b. A plurality of protrusions 23c are provided in an array in which the upper plane coordinate position can be grasped and is alternately offset. What is indicated by a dotted line is a downward projection 23d provided on the lower surface of the sheet surface 23b. As shown in the figure, in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the size of the downward projection 23d (the spread of the plane) is larger than the projection 23c on the upper surface. Thereby, at the time of pressing, it is easy to distinguish a desired pressing position by the small protrusion 23c on the upper surface, and it is possible to reliably press the touch panel 3 by the large protrusion 23d on the lower surface.

In each of the above embodiments, the shapes, sizes, and materials of the plurality of protrusions 12c, 20c, 21c, 22c, and 23c provided on the upper surface of the tactile sensation operation layer (tactile sensation operation sheet) are not limited and may be appropriately different. . Also by making such a difference, the relative arrangement of the protrusions in the entire two-dimensional coordinates of the tactile sensation operation layer (tactile sensation operation sheet) can be easily perceived (discriminated) tactilely. Further, what is provided on the upper surface of the tactile manipulation layer (tactile manipulation sheet) so that the planar coordinate position can be grasped tactilely is not limited to the protrusions 12c, 20c, 21c, 22c, and 23c, and is a depression. In short, it may be a three-dimensional one.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an external appearance example of an electronic musical instrument to which the input device according to the present invention can be applied. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the electronic musical instrument of FIG. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a tactile sensation operation sheet as an embodiment of a tactile sensation operation layer to be disposed on the touch panel of the electronic musical instrument of FIG. 1, in which FIG. The partial expanded sectional view of the touch panel of the electronic musical instrument of FIG. The flowchart which shows simply the main flow of the process which CPU of the electronic musical instrument shown in FIG. 2 performs. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of “panel processing” illustrated in FIG. 5. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the display content on the display screen of a touchscreen, (b) is a figure which shows the correspondence of this display content and each protrusion of a tactile-operation sheet | seat. (A) is a figure which shows another example of the display content on the display screen of a touchscreen, (b) is a figure which shows the correspondence of this display content and each protrusion of a tactile-operation sheet | seat. The top view which shows another Example of the tactile sense operation layer which concerns on this invention. The top view which shows another Example of the tactile sense operation layer which concerns on this invention. Sectional drawing which shows another Example of the tactile sense operation layer which concerns on this invention. The top view which shows another Example of the tactile sense operation layer which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 Touch Panel 31 Display Screen 32 Switch Arrangement Layer 12, 21, 22, 23 Tactile Operation Sheet (Tactile Operation Layer)
20 tactile sensation operation layers 12a, 20a outer frame bodies 12b, 21b, 22b, 23b flexible sheet surface 20b linear bodies 12c, 21c, 22c, 23c projections 20c projections

Claims (3)

A display screen capable of variably displaying various operator graphics related to various selections, settings, or operations in an electronic musical instrument or the like, and a translucent switch array layer disposed overlapping the display screen A touch panel that detects that an on-operation has been performed on an operator graphic that is displayed corresponding to the switch position by detecting a press against an arbitrary switch position by the switch array layer; and
It is arranged on the touch panel and has a plurality of protrusions or dents on the upper surface side in an array that can grasp the plane coordinate position, bends downward according to the applied pressure, and upwards when the pressure is released A tactile sensation operation layer having flexibility for returning, and the operator can analogically perceive the plane coordinate position of the display screen of the touch panel by the tactile sensation of the protrusion or the depression on the upper surface of the tactile sensation operation layer. An input device for an electronic musical instrument or the like, characterized in that it can support a selective pressing operation on a figure.   The input device for an electronic musical instrument or the like according to claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation operation layer has translucency. 3. The input device for an electronic musical instrument or the like according to claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying visually the arrangement and function of the operator graphic displayed on the display screen.

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