JP2007264920A - Input device and portable electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose an input device allowing recognition of the functions allocated to a key button before operation of the key button when a plurality of functions are allocated to the key button, and to propose portable electronic equipment having it. <P>SOLUTION: This input device 1 has: a key operation part 10 having a plurality of key buttons 12-16; a storage part storing a plurality of pieces of function information; a key allocation part selecting the function information from the storage part, and allocating the plurality of functions to the key button 16; and an information transmission part transmitting a key allocation state of the key button 16 to an operator by imparting stimulation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

In an electronic device such as a portable information terminal, when a user performs an input operation via an input unit, the user can perform an input operation due to a change in an image on a display screen or a change in sound from a speaker or the like. Some provide corresponding feedback.
In particular, in order to provide sufficient feedback to the user even in environments such as noise and darkness, the input unit such as a touch panel can be vibrated, and the user can input information by pressing the input unit. When performing, the input part is vibrated according to the type of input information, and what transmits the feedback with respect to operation to a user's tactile sense is proposed.
JP 2004-94389 A

  However, in the above-described technique, the input unit is vibrated according to the type of information input via the input unit. Therefore, what functions the input unit has before the input unit is operated. There is a problem that it cannot be recognized. Specifically, when multiple functions are assigned to an input unit, the functions assigned to the input unit are recognized before operating the input unit in an environment such as noise or darkness. There is a problem that is difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. When a plurality of functions are assigned to the input unit, the input unit recognizes what function is assigned before the operation of the input unit. It is an object to propose an input device or the like that can be used.

The input device and the portable electronic device according to the present invention employ the following means in order to solve the above problems.
An input device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of key buttons (including a key operation unit), a storage unit that stores a plurality of function information, a plurality of function information selected from the storage unit, and a plurality of key buttons. A key assigning unit for assigning the function, and an information transmitting unit for stimulating and transmitting the key assignment state of the key button to the operator.

  The information transmission unit is a vibration generating unit having a plurality of vibration modes. Further, the information transmission unit is a braille display device capable of displaying a plurality of braille characters. In addition, the key button and the information transmission unit are respectively disposed on a pair of back surfaces in the same housing. Further, the vibration generating unit vibrates the key button.

  A portable electronic device according to a second invention is characterized by including the input device according to the first invention as an input unit.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
When a plurality of functions are assigned to a key button, it is possible to recognize what function is assigned to the key button before operating the key button or other key buttons.
In particular, since the operator's finger is stimulated by vibration or Braille, the function assigned to the key button can be reliably transmitted to the operator. In addition, since the key button and the information transmission unit are separated from each other, for example, the function assigned to the key button can be recognized with the index finger while the key button is operated with the thumb. Smooth input operation can be realized without giving
Therefore, even under an environment such as noise or darkness, it is possible to reliably recognize what function is assigned to the key button.
In addition, since the vibration generating unit vibrates the key button, it is possible to recognize the function assigned to the key button by lightly touching the key button before pressing the key button. Since the key button can be pressed with the finger, an input device and a portable electronic device with excellent operability can be realized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an input device and a portable electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A cellular phone (input device, portable electronic device) 1 includes a first casing 2, a second casing 3 that can be overlapped in the thickness direction of the first casing 2, and the two casings 2, 3. And a hinge portion 5 that can be folded together.
In addition, the hinge part 5 is distribute | arranged so that each edge part 2a, 3a (henceforth base end part 2a, 3a) of the two housing | casing 2 and 3 may be connected.

  Inside the second housing 3, a display unit 6 including a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display or an inorganic EL display having a display surface 6 a for displaying various information, and a speaker 7 for calling. Is provided. The display surface 6a of the display unit 6 is exposed on the surface 3c side of the second housing 3 facing the first housing 2 in a state where the two housings 2 and 3 are overlapped with each other. The speaker 7 is disposed at the distal end portion 3b of the second housing 3 located on the opposite side of the base end portion 3a, and penetrates from the surface 3c of the second housing 3 to the internal space of the second housing 3. It is exposed to the outside through the opening 3d.

Inside the first housing 2, there are provided a key operation unit 10 including a plurality of operation keys 11 that can be pressed variously such as a call key and a call end key, and a microphone 8 for a call.
The key operation unit 10 (operation key 11) is exposed outward from the surface 2c of the first housing 2 facing the second housing 3 in a state where the two housings 2 and 3 are overlapped with each other. .
The microphone 8 is disposed at the distal end portion 2b of the first housing 2 located on the opposite side to the base end portion 2a, and penetrates from the surface 2c of the first housing 2 to the internal space of the first housing 2. It is exposed to the outside through the opening 2d.

The first housing 2 includes a front case 2f constituting the surface 2c side of the first housing 2 and a rear case 2r constituting the outer surface 2e side. The front case 2 f and the rear case 2 r can be coupled to each other in the thickness direction of the first housing 2.
Inside the first housing 2, a key switch, a shield case, a circuit board (all not shown), a battery 33 (see FIG. 3), and the like are arranged in an overlapping manner. Further, an antenna 31 (see FIG. 3) for wireless communication is accommodated on the distal end portion 2b side inside the first housing 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the braille display device 50.
A braille display device 50 is provided on the outer surface 2 e of the first housing 2. The braille display device 50 displays braille by six pins 54, and includes a housing portion 52 whose upper surface is a contact surface 51, and three long holes 53 are arranged in tandem on the contact surface 51. It is formed to extend in parallel. Two pins 54 can protrude from the long holes 53, and the protruding pins 54 can be detected by placing a finger or the like on the contact surface 51.
The braille display device 50 is mounted on the outer surface 2 e of the first housing 2 on the base end 2 a side so that the long hole 53 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 2. By arranging the braille display device 50 in this way, when the casings 2 and 3 of the mobile phone 1 are opened and used, the surface of the first casing 2 is displayed with the thumb as shown in FIG. While operating the operation key 11 arranged on 3c, an index finger or the like can be placed on the contact surface 51 of the Braille display device 50 arranged on the outer surface 2e to read Braille.
The Braille display device 50 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2005-49365 and 2000-206873.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the mobile phone 1.
The cellular phone 1 includes a speaker 7, a microphone 8, a key operation unit 10, an antenna 31, a wireless communication unit 32, a battery 33, a power supply control unit 34, a memory 35, a braille display device 50, and a control unit 36 that comprehensively controls them. Etc.
Here, the wireless communication unit 32 makes a call with another mobile phone or the like via the antenna 31 or connects to various servers via the Internet network to send and receive various information such as an e-mail or a homepage. It is something to do.
The power controller 34 controls charging and discharging of the battery 33 and the like.
The memory 35 stores various information such as characters, symbols, images, and various functions of the mobile phone 1. Furthermore, the memory 35 also stores a plurality of function information assigned to the soft keys 16 described later. The function information is, for example, information regarding the input mode, information regarding menu operations, and the like. Specifically, the input mode includes “kanji”, “kana”, “alphabet”, and “number”. Specifically, the menu operation information includes “forward”, “back”, “decision”, “detail”, “function”, “edit”, “select”, “search”, “delete”, “cancel” And so on.
The assignment of a plurality of functions to the soft key 16 is controlled by the control unit 36.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining key assignment.
As described above, the plurality of operation keys 11 are provided on the surface 2 c of the first housing 2. Specifically, the operation key 11 includes a numeric keypad 12 for inputting a telephone number and the like, a multi-directional key 13 for moving a cursor for various function menus, a call start key 14 for starting a call by depressing when receiving a call, There are an end call key 15, a soft key 16, and the like for ending the call by pressing down during the call.
Since the soft key 16 requires various types of input operations as the mobile phone 1 becomes multi-functional, a plurality of functions are assigned to a specific key, and the specific key is assigned to the specific key depending on the operating state of the mobile phone 1. This is a key for switching functions in software. The function assigned to the soft key 16 can be recognized by an icon 26 displayed on a part of the display unit 6. That is, the operator of the mobile phone 1 visually checks the soft key icon 26 displayed on the display unit 6 and confirms the function assigned to the soft key 16 and then presses the soft key 16. It is like that.
The control unit 36 assigns a plurality of functions to the soft key 16 and also displays the icon 26 on the display unit 6.
A technique for assigning a plurality of functions to a soft key and displaying an icon or the like corresponding to the function on the display unit is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-259304.

The state in which a plurality of functions are assigned to the soft key 16 can also be identified by the braille display device 50 provided on the outer surface 2e of the first housing 2. That is, when a function on the soft key 16 is assigned, Braille indicating the assigned function is expressed by the Braille display device 50. As a result, even if the operator of the mobile phone 1 cannot see the soft key icon 26 displayed on the display unit 6 because of an environment such as darkness, the braille display device 50 The function assigned to the soft key 16 can be recognized by touching and sensing the pin 54 protruding from the contact surface 51 with a finger.
For example, when the soft key 16 is a key for switching input modes (kanji input, kana input, alphabetic input, numeric input) when inputting an electronic mail, the braille display device 50 corresponds to four input modes. The protruding state of the pin 54 changes. When the kanji input mode is assigned to the soft key 16, the braille display device 50 repeatedly displays, for example, “Kanji” or simply “ka”. When the kana input mode is assigned, for example, “Kana” is repeatedly displayed, or “NA” is simply displayed. When the alphabet input mode is assigned, for example, “Eiji” or “abc” may be repeatedly displayed. When the numeric input mode is assigned, for example, “SUJI” or “123” may be repeatedly displayed.

As a result, the operator of the mobile phone 1 views the soft key icons 26 (characters and figures such as “Kan”, “Kana”, “English”, “Number”) displayed on the display unit 6. In addition, it is possible to recognize the current function assigned to the soft key 16, that is, the e-mail input mode.
Therefore, when inputting Chinese characters using the numeric keypad 12, the software key 16 is repeatedly pressed, and an operation is performed so that “input Chinese characters” is assigned to the software key 16. Then, after “Kanji input” is assigned to the soft key 16, Kanji input can be performed using the numeric keypad 12.

  Further, the operator of the cellular phone 1 performs “forward”, “return”, “decision”, “detail”, “function”, “edit”, “select”, “search” to the soft key 16 during menu operation. When functions such as “”, “erase”, and “cancel” are assigned, the user can press the soft key 16 as necessary to cause the mobile phone 1 to execute a desired operation (function).

The soft key 16 is not limited to information related to the e-mail input mode and menu operation.
Information relating to the menu operation includes, for example, “phone book search key”, “call / incoming history key”, “received mail display key”, “Internet connection key”, and the like. These functions may be assigned to the soft key 16 and the braille display device 50 may be appropriately controlled according to this function.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where one soft key 16 exists in the key operation unit 10 of the mobile phone 1 has been described, but a plurality of soft keys may exist. In this case, the same number of braille display devices 50 as the number of soft keys may be provided, or one braille display device 50 sequentially displays functions assigned to a plurality of soft keys at regular intervals. You may do it.
Further, the key operation unit 10 may be a touch panel type input unit or a frameless key.

Further, instead of providing the braille display device 50 on the outer surface 2e of the first housing 2 of the mobile phone 1, a vibration generating unit having a plurality of vibration modes may be provided. That is, the operator may recognize the function assigned to the soft key by transmitting vibration to the operator's finger instead of Braille. A piezoelectric element is preferably used to generate vibration.
Further, the braille display device 50 and the vibration generating unit are not limited to the outer surface 2e of the first housing 2, but may be the surface 2c of the first housing 2, or the surface 3c or the outer surface of the second housing 3. There may be. In any case, it is preferable that the operator can touch the braille display device 50, the vibration generating unit, and the key operation unit 10 with a finger at the same time.

When the vibration generating unit is provided, the vibration generating unit may be provided separately from the key operating unit 10, or the key operating unit 10 and the vibration generating unit are incorporated by incorporating a vibration generating source into the key operating unit 10. And may be configured integrally. In the case where the key operation unit 10 and the vibration generating unit are configured integrally, the vibration is transmitted directly to the finger by touching the soft key 16 of the key operation unit 10. Therefore, before the soft key 16 is pressed, In addition, the key assignment state of the soft key 16 can be recognized.
The key operation unit 10 may be a touch panel type input unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile phone 1 has been described. However, for example, a mobile electronic device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) may be used.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a braille display device 50. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the mobile phone 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating key allocation.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Mobile phone (input device, portable electronic device)
2 ... 1st housing | casing 2c ... Surface (backward surface)
2e… Outside (back side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... 2nd housing | casing 6 ... Display part 10 ... Key operation part 11 ... Operation key 16 ... Soft key (key button)
26 ... Icon 35 ... Memory (storage unit)
36 ... Control part (key assignment part)
50 ... Braille display device (information transmission unit)

Claims (6)

A key operation unit having a plurality of key buttons;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of function information;
A key assigning unit that selects the function information from the storage unit and assigns a plurality of functions to the key buttons;
An information transmission unit that provides a stimulus to the operator and transmits the key assignment state of the key button;
An input device comprising:   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is a vibration generation unit having a plurality of vibration modes.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission unit is a Braille display device capable of displaying a plurality of Braille characters.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the key button and the information transmission unit are respectively disposed on a pair of back-facing surfaces in the same housing.   The input device according to claim 2, wherein the vibration generating unit vibrates the key button. A portable electronic device comprising the input device according to claim 1 as an input unit.

Images