JP2007059074A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which a user can freely change an alignment of operating buttons. <P>SOLUTION: The input device is provided with a plurality of the operating buttons 5 fitted on a top-face part of an input device body in free movement, a plurality of contact parts 13 fitted under each operating button 5 capable of getting in contact with the button 5 at its pressing down, a signal generating means generating a different electric signal for each operating button 5 in accordance with a contacting state when each button 5 is pressed down to come in contact with the contact part 13, and a control part recognizing each operating button 5 on the basis of the electric signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device having a plurality of operation buttons.

  Conventionally, as one of input devices, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as “remote controller”) used for remotely operating a television receiver is known. In general, a plurality of operation buttons are arranged on the operation surface of the remote control, and a detection unit that detects whether or not the operation button is pressed inside the remote control, and an infrared ray based on a detection result of the detection unit. And a light emitting means for transmitting in a predetermined direction. In such a remote controller, since the user presses each operation button and inputs an operation instruction, it is necessary to provide a large number of operation buttons as the function of the television receiver as the operation target becomes complicated. ing.

  In view of this, a technique has been developed in which a single operation button is provided with a plurality of operation functions by providing an operation button and a changeover switch on the operation surface, as in the remote control described in Patent Document 1. According to such a remote controller, the operability is improved without increasing the size of the remote controller by providing a large number of operation buttons.

In addition, in order to prevent the convenience of the remote controller from being impaired by increasing the number of operation buttons, it is possible for the user himself to set software buttons for each operation button, such as a so-called learning remote controller. There is something.
JP-A-9-134248

  However, in the conventional input device, the arrangement of the operation buttons themselves whose functions are determined in advance is determined at the time of manufacture, and there is a problem that the arrangement cannot be changed to a user's desired arrangement.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that allows a user to freely change the arrangement of operation buttons.

In order to solve the above problem, an invention according to claim 1 is an input device,
It is formed in a rectangular shape on the upper surface of the input device body, and a guide recess is provided on the side surface of two adjacent edges from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and the side surfaces of the other two edges. Has an opening provided with a guide protrusion, and
It is attached to the inside of the opening and is movable, is formed in a rectangular shape and has an identification terminal on its lower surface, and the guide projection is slidably engaged with the side surfaces of two adjacent sides. An operation in which the groove portion to be provided is provided from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the other two side surfaces are provided with a convex portion on which the guide recess portion and the groove portion are slidably engaged. Button and
A plurality of contact portions, which are provided below the operation buttons and have a variable resistance resistor that contacts the identification terminal when the operation button is pressed, and a power switch that controls ON / OFF of the power supply of the input device; ,
One of the operation buttons, a power button that is detachable from the input device body by pressing the power switch when attached to the contact portion;
The point of contact of the identification terminal with the resistor is different for each operation button, and a signal is generated to generate different electrical signals for each operation button according to the contact state between the identification terminal and the resistor. Means,
A control unit for recognizing each operation button based on the electrical signal;
It is characterized by providing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the input device,
A plurality of operation buttons attached to the upper surface of the input device main body and movable,
A plurality of contact portions provided below each of the operation buttons and capable of contacting the operation buttons by pressing the operation buttons;
Signal generating means for generating different electrical signals for each of the operation buttons according to a contact state when the operation button is pressed and contacts the contact portion;
A control unit for recognizing each operation button based on the electrical signal;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention described in claim 3 is the input device according to claim 2,
The signal generating means includes an identification terminal provided on the lower surface of the operation button, and a variable resistance resistor provided on the upper surface of the contact portion,
The identification terminal is brought into contact with a predetermined portion of the variable resistor when the operation button is pressed, and the contact portion is different for each operation button.

The invention according to claim 4 is the input device according to claim 2 or 3,
The operation button has a rectangular shape, and the side surfaces of the two adjacent sides are provided with a groove portion extending from one end portion in the longitudinal direction to the other end portion, and the other two side surfaces are provided with the groove portion on the side surface. Protrusions that are slidably engaged are provided,
A rectangular opening portion in which the contact portions are arranged is formed below the upper surface portion of the input device body, and an edge portion forming the opening portion is formed on the side surfaces of two adjacent edge portions. A guide recess is slidably engaged with the convex portion from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the other two edge portions are slidably engaged with the concave groove portion. Guide protrusions are provided.

Invention of Claim 5 is an input device as described in any one of Claims 2-4,
The contact portion is provided with the power switch for controlling ON / OFF of the power supply of the input device, and one of the operation buttons is configured to switch the power switch when attached to the input device body. A power button to be pressed, wherein the power button is detachable from the input device body.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user presses the operation button attached to the input device, the identification terminal of the operation button contacts the resistor of the contact portion, and the signal generating means responds to the contact state. A different electrical signal is generated for each operation button. And a control part recognizes each operation button based on the electrical signal. Therefore, the control unit can recognize the operation button regardless of the arrangement of the operation button in the opening, and can position the operation button above an arbitrary contact portion. The user can freely change the arrangement of the operation button. It is possible to use an input device.

The operation button is slidable on the same plane because the convex portions and the concave groove portions on the side surfaces of the respective sides are engaged with each other. In addition, a guide concave portion, which is an edge portion that forms an opening of the input device main body and is slidably engaged with the side surfaces of two adjacent edge portions, extends from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. Since the guide projections are provided on the side surfaces of the other two edge portions so as to be slidably engaged with the groove portions, the operation buttons can be slidably attached to the input device main body. . Further, by changing the operation button arrangement in the manner of “15 puzzle”, the input device is provided with game characteristics, and the user can enjoy changing the operation button arrangement of the input device.

  Further, when the power button is attached to the input device body, the power button functions as a stopper for the “15 puzzle” at the same time as the power switch is turned on by pressing the power switch. On the other hand, when changing the arrangement of the operation buttons, the power button can be removed to turn off the power supply of the entire input device, so that the input device can be prevented from malfunctioning and changed safely when changing the arrangement of the operation buttons.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the user presses the operation button attached to the input device, the operation button comes into contact with the contact portion, and the signal generating means generates an electrical signal corresponding to the contact state. And a control part recognizes each operation button based on the electrical signal.

  Therefore, the control unit can recognize the operation button regardless of the arrangement of the operation button in the opening, so that the operation button can be positioned above any contact part, and the user can freely change the operation button arrangement. It is possible to use an input device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since each identification terminal contacts a predetermined position of the resistor, the variable resistor has a resistance value corresponding to the contact location, and the signal generating means An electric signal corresponding to the resistance value is generated. Here, since the contact location between the identification terminal and the resistor is different for each operation button, the resistance value indicated by the variable resistor is different for each operation button. Therefore, the electric signal generated by the signal generating means varies depending on each operation button, and the control unit can easily recognize each operation button by measuring the voltage value of the electric signal.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the adjacent operation buttons are slidable on the same plane because the convex portions and the concave groove portions on the side surfaces of the respective sides are engaged with each other. In addition, a guide concave portion, which is an edge portion that forms an opening of the input device main body and is slidably engaged with the side surfaces of two adjacent edge portions, extends from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. Since the guide projections are provided on the side surfaces of the other two edge portions so as to be slidably engaged with the groove portions, the operation buttons can be slidably attached to the input device main body. .

  Accordingly, it is possible to change the position of the operation button in the opening while engaging the operation buttons and attaching them to the input device main body. Further, by changing the position of the operation button in the manner of “15 puzzle”, the input device is provided with game characteristics, and the user can enjoy changing the operation button arrangement of the input device.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the power button is attached to the input device main body, the power button presses the power switch to turn on the power of the input device and at the same time functions as a “15 puzzle” stop. . On the other hand, when changing the arrangement of the operation buttons, the power button can be removed to turn off the power supply of the entire input device, so that the input device can be prevented from malfunctioning and changed safely when changing the arrangement of the operation buttons.

  An embodiment of an input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

  The input device of this embodiment is, for example, a remote controller 1 used for remotely operating a television receiver as shown in FIG. The remote control 1 is provided with a housing 2 as an input device body that covers the outer surface thereof. A light emitting unit 3 (see FIG. 6) that transmits infrared rays in a predetermined direction is provided on one side surface of the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 4 having a rectangular shape in plan view is formed on the upper surface of the housing 2. On the side surfaces of the upper edge and the left edge of the edge forming the opening 4, a guide protrusion 4a protruding toward the inside of the opening 4 is provided from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. It has been. In addition, a guide recess 4b that protrudes toward the outside of the opening 4 is provided on the side surfaces of the lower and right edges of the opening 4, extending from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction and the guide protrusion 4a. It is provided in the position which opposes.

  Inside the opening 4, for example, 24 operation buttons 5... Pressed by the user are arranged so as to have 6 rows × 4 columns. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation button 5 is provided with a flat plate portion 6 whose upper surface is formed in a rectangular shape. On the side surfaces of the upper side and the left side of the flat plate part 6, a concave groove part 7 that is slidably engaged with the guide convex part 4a is provided from one end part in the longitudinal direction to the other end part. Further, convex portions 8 that are slidably engaged with the guide concave portions 4 b and the concave groove portions 7 are provided on the side surfaces of the lower side and the right side of the flat plate portion 6. Therefore, the adjacent operation buttons 5 are arranged without gaps on the same plane by engaging the respective convex portions 8 and the concave groove portions 7 with each other. In addition, the operation buttons 5 that are in contact with the side surfaces of the upper and left edges of the opening 4 engage the respective concave grooves 7 with the guide protrusions 4a, while the lower and left edges of the opening 4 are engaged. The operation buttons 5 in contact with the side surfaces engage the respective convex portions 8 with the guide concave portions 4b so that all the operation buttons 5 are slidably held on the housing 2 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the flat plate portion 6 is formed with a hole portion 6 a that has a rectangular shape in plan view and opens in the vertical direction. Inside the hole 6a, there is provided a pressing unit 9 on the upper surface of which the number and symbol of each operation button 5 are displayed. The pressing unit 9 is flexible and bends downward when the user presses the operation button 5. Below the pressing portion 9, a tapered portion 10 is formed so as to protrude downward so that the diameter decreases. The tapered portion 10 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction corresponding to the deformation of the pressing portion 9.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an identification terminal 11 made of a conductive material is provided on the bottom surface of the tapered portion 10 so as to extend in the circumferential direction from the center point of the tapered portion 10. Here, the attachment position of the identification terminal 11 with respect to the tapered portion 10 is a position connecting the center point of the lower surface of the tapered portion 10 and a point on the circumference, and the one point on the circumference varies depending on each operation button 5. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower left operation button 5 is a power button 12 for turning on / off the power of the remote controller 1. The power button 12 has a circular shape in plan view, is made of an elastic material, and is urged toward the circumferential direction thereof. The power button 12 is pressed against the side surfaces of the adjacent operation buttons 5 on the upper and right sides and the side surfaces of the left and lower edges of the opening 4 so as to function as a stopper for stopping the slide of the operation buttons 5. It has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a protrusion 12 a that protrudes downward is provided on the lower surface of the power button 12.

  As shown in FIG. 5, contact portions 13... Facing all the operation buttons 5 are provided inside the opening 4 and on the upper surface thereof. On the upper surface of each contact portion 13, a variable resistance resistor 14 such as a winding resistance is provided so as to be curved in an arc shape along the circumference of the bottom surface of the taper portion 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the left end of the resistor 14 is grounded, and when a terminal is connected to an arbitrary portion of the resistor 14, a current flows with a resistance value corresponding to the distance from the contact location of the terminal to the left end. It is like that.

  A central terminal 15 facing the identification terminal 11 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the contact portion 13. A power supply 16 for applying a predetermined voltage is connected to the central terminal 15, and a pull-up resistor 17 showing a predetermined resistance value is provided between the central terminal 15 and the power supply 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the central terminal 15 is connected to a microcomputer 18 that measures an applied voltage value.

Here, the signal generating means in this embodiment includes a power source 16, a pull-up resistor 17, a central terminal 15, a microcomputer 18, an identification terminal 11, and a resistor 14, and the identification terminal 11 as shown in FIG. When the terminals 15 and the resistor 14 are brought into contact with each other and become conductive, a current flows through the resistor 14 shown in FIG. 9, and the microcomputer 18 measures a voltage value corresponding to the resistance value of the resistor 14. It has become.

  A power switch 19 that protrudes from the protrusion 12 a of the power button 12 to turn on the entire remote controller 1 is projected from the lower right portion of the contact portion 13. In the present embodiment, the power switch 19 is provided in each contact portion 13, but it is sufficient that the remote control 1 can be turned off at a desired timing. good.

  Next, the electrical control configuration of the remote controller 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The remote controller 1 is provided with a control unit 21 that is electrically connected to the light emitting unit 3, the power supply 16, the power switch 19, the microcomputer 18, and the like and controls them. The control unit 21 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown), and develops a processing program recorded in the ROM on the RAM and executes the processing program by the CPU.

  When the power switch 19 is pressed by the protrusion 12 a of the power button 12, the control unit 21 controls the remote controller 1 to turn on and apply a predetermined voltage from the power source 16. The microcomputer 18 controls the voltage value applied to the central terminal 15 to be detected. Further, the control unit 21 controls the light emitting unit 3 to emit infrared light modulated based on the detection result of the microcomputer 18.

  Next, a method for changing the arrangement of the operation buttons 5 of the remote controller 1 will be described.

  First, the power button 12 is removed from the housing 2 while pressing the power button 12 from both sides to bend the elastic member inside. Then, the protrusion 12 a of the power button 12 is separated from the power switch 19 and does not press the power switch 19, and the power supply of the remote control 1 is turned off, so that the control unit 21 stops the voltage application by the power supply 16. In this way, after the power of the entire remote controller 1 is once turned off, the user changes the arrangement of the operation buttons 5.

  When changing the arrangement of the operation buttons 5, the operation buttons 5 are engaged with each other with the convex portion 8 and the concave groove portion 7, so that they can be slid in the plane direction, and the power button 12 as a stopper is attached. By detaching, a space in which the operation buttons 5 can slide one by one in the opening 4 is secured. That is, the operation button 5 is moved in the manner of a so-called “15 puzzle” to change the arrangement of the operation buttons 5. Here, since the convex portion 8 and the concave groove portion 7 of the operation button 5 in contact with the edge of the opening portion 4 are engaged with the guide concave portion 4b and the guide convex portion 4a of the opening portion 4, the operation button 5 is connected to the remote controller 1. It will not come off the body.

  After the operation button 5 is changed to a desired arrangement in this way, the power button 12 is attached to the contact portion 13 where the operation button 5 is not arranged (see FIG. 11). Then, the power button 12 is pressed against the side surface of the operation button 5 or the edge of the opening 4 to fix the position of the operation button 5, and the protrusion 12 a of the power button 12 presses the power switch 19 of the contact portion 13. Therefore, the control unit 21 applies a predetermined voltage again by the power supply 16.

  Next, an input operation method using the remote controller 1 will be described.

  First, when the user presses the operation button 5, pressure is applied to the tapered portion 10 via the pressing portion 9, and the tapered portion 10 moves downward. Then, the identification terminal 11 provided on the lower surface of the tapered portion 10 comes into contact with the contact portion 13. Here, the central terminal 15 of the contact portion 13 is in contact with the end portion on the center point side of the identification terminal 11. Further, the end of the identification terminal 11 on the circumferential side contacts the resistor 14 of the contact portion 13.

  When the identification terminal 11 comes into contact with the contact portion 13, the identification terminal 11 makes the central terminal 15 and the resistor 14 conductive, so that a current from the power source 16 flows toward the resistor 14. Here, since the attachment position of the identification terminal 11 is different depending on each operation button 5, the location where the identification terminal 11 is in contact with the resistor 14 is different, and the resistance value of the resistor 14 is different depending on each operation button 5. .

  The voltage value detected by the microcomputer 18 is a value divided by the pull-up resistor 17 and the variable resistor, and the resistance value indicated by the variable resistor composed of the resistor 14 and the identification terminal 11 is determined by each operation button 5. Since they are different, the control unit 21 recognizes each operation button 5 according to the voltage value detected by the microcomputer 18. When the control unit 21 recognizes each operation button 5, the control unit 21 causes the light emitting unit 3 to emit infrared light modulated accordingly.

  Thus, according to the remote controller 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 21 can recognize each operation button 5 by the contact between the identification terminal 11 and the resistor 14. Therefore, the operation button 5 can be moved above the arbitrary contact portion 13, and the user can attach the operation button 5 to the remote controller 1 and use it in a desired arrangement.

  Further, the operation buttons 5 can be engaged with each other and attached to the housing 2, and the operation button 5 can be slidable in the opening 4. Further, by changing the arrangement of the operation buttons 5 in the manner of “15 puzzle”, the remote controller 1 is provided with game characteristics, so that the user can enjoy changing the arrangement of the operation buttons 5 while enjoying it.

  Further, when changing the arrangement of the operation buttons 5, the power of the entire remote control 1 can be turned off by the power switch 19, and when the arrangement of the operation buttons 5 is changed, malfunction of the remote control 1 can be prevented and performed safely. Can do. Then, by attaching the power button 12 to the contact portion 13, it is possible to turn on the power source of the remote controller 1 and prevent the operation button 5 from sliding.

  Although the operation button 5 of this embodiment is moved in the manner of “15 puzzle”, the movement method of the operation button 5 is not particularly limited. Therefore, it is good also as comprising an input device by attaching operation button as a structure which can be removed from a contact part by arbitrary arrangement | positioning.

  Moreover, although the input device of the present embodiment is a remote control for remotely operating the television receiver, any input device having a plurality of operation buttons can be applied and is not particularly limited.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each operation button is recognized by a voltage value measured by the microcomputer using a variable resistor, but there is no particular limitation on the identification method of each operation button. Therefore, a plurality of pins may be provided on the lower surface of the operation button, and an electrical signal may be generated according to the arrangement or shape of the pins. Further, an IC for identifying each operation button may be provided on the operation button, and an electric signal may be generated according to each IC.

It is a top view of the remote control concerning this embodiment. It is the II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the top view, side view, and bottom view of an operation button concerning this embodiment. It is II-II part sectional drawing in FIG. It is a top view of the housing | casing which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view of the contact part which concerns on this embodiment. It is an electrical circuit diagram of the contact part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a bottom view of the taper part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a bottom view of the operation button concerning this embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the remote control which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view of the remote control concerning this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Remote control 2 Case 4 Opening part 4a Guide convex part 4b Guide concave part 5 Operation button 6 Flat plate part 7 Concave groove part 8 Convex part 9 Press part 11 Identification terminal 12 Power button 12a Protrusion part 13 Contact part 14 Resistor 18 Microcomputer 19 Power supply Switch 21 control unit

Claims (5)

It is formed in a rectangular shape on the upper surface of the input device body, and a guide recess is provided on the side surface of two adjacent edges from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and the side surfaces of the other two edges. Has an opening provided with a guide protrusion, and
It is attached to the inside of the opening and is movable, is formed in a rectangular shape and has an identification terminal on its lower surface, and the guide projection is slidably engaged with the side surfaces of two adjacent sides. An operation in which the groove portion to be provided is provided from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the other two side surfaces are provided with a convex portion on which the guide recess portion and the groove portion are slidably engaged. Button and
A plurality of contact portions, which are provided below the operation buttons and have a variable resistance resistor that contacts the identification terminal when the operation button is pressed, and a power switch that controls ON / OFF of the power supply of the input device; ,
One of the operation buttons, a power button that is detachable from the input device body by pressing the power switch when attached to the contact portion;
The point of contact of the identification terminal with the resistor is different for each operation button, and a signal is generated to generate different electrical signals for each operation button according to the contact state between the identification terminal and the resistor. Means,
A control unit for recognizing each operation button based on the electrical signal;
An input device comprising: A plurality of operation buttons attached to the upper surface of the input device main body and movable,
A plurality of contact portions provided below each of the operation buttons and capable of contacting the operation buttons by pressing the operation buttons;
Signal generating means for generating different electrical signals for each of the operation buttons according to a contact state when the operation button is pressed and contacts the contact portion;
A control unit for recognizing each operation button based on the electrical signal;
An input device comprising: The signal generating means includes an identification terminal provided on the lower surface of the operation button, and a variable resistance resistor provided on the upper surface of the contact portion,
The input device according to claim 2, wherein the identification terminal contacts a predetermined location of the variable resistor by pressing the operation button, and the contact location differs for each operation button. The operation button has a rectangular shape, and the side surfaces of the two adjacent sides are provided with a groove portion extending from one end portion in the longitudinal direction to the other end portion, and the other two side surfaces are provided with the groove portion on the side surface. Protrusions that are slidably engaged are provided,
A rectangular opening portion in which the contact portions are arranged is formed below the upper surface portion of the input device body, and an edge portion forming the opening portion is formed on the side surfaces of two adjacent edge portions. A guide recess is slidably engaged with the convex portion from one end portion to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the other two edge portions are slidably engaged with the concave groove portion. The input device according to claim 2, wherein a guide convex portion is provided.   The contact portion is provided with the power switch for controlling ON / OFF of the power supply of the input device, and one of the operation buttons is configured to switch the power switch when attached to the input device body. 5. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the input device is a power button to be pressed, and the power button is detachable from the input device body. 6.

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