JP2009093619A - Input device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce malfunctions and cost and simplify a manufacturing process while reducing size and thickness of a key top and improving operability thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The input device comprises a sensor sheet 81b which is provided within a lower casing 11n having an operation surface, and includes an FPC substrate 81 which detects a slide position of an operator's finger and outputs a position detection signal; and a key top 152 which is provided to cover an entire surface of the sensor sheet 81b and is slide-operated along the operation surface of the lower casing 11n. The key top 152 has a convex shape which becomes thicker along a sliding direction from one direction of the operation surface of the lower casing 11n and also which becomes thinner toward the other direction of the operation surface thereof. The FPC substrate 81 includes a dome switch 85a that is ON/OFF by depression of the key top 152 by the operator's finger, and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device and an electronic device applicable to a digital camera, a video camera, a mobile phone, a mobile terminal device, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), a notebook PC, a home electronic device, a remote controller thereof, and the like. . Specifically, a convex portion that includes an operation portion that is slid along the operation surface of the housing, rises from one operation surface of the housing in the sliding direction, and rises toward the other operation surface. The switch has a shape, and has a switch part that is turned on and / or off by pushing the operating body into the operating part. In addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises along the sliding direction from the operation surface, a sliding operation sensation that rises toward the other operation surface can be given, and a capacitance sheet for detecting the sliding position is provided. The detection electrode to be configured and the movable contact that constitutes the switch portion for the determination confirmation key and the like can be shared by the same capacitance sheet member.

  In recent years, a user (operator) has photographed a subject using a digital camera equipped with various types of operation modes, or has taken various contents into a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) It has come to use it. These digital cameras, portable terminal devices, and the like are provided with an input device. In many cases, a keyboard, an input means such as a JOG dial, a touch panel combined with a display unit, or the like is used as the input device.

  FIG. 72 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an input device 500 according to a conventional example. An input device 500 illustrated in FIG. 72 includes a housing 501, a rotary operation element (hereinafter referred to as a JOG dial 502), a circuit board 503, and a dome switch 504.

  The input device 500 includes a casing 501 having a predetermined size. An opening 505 is provided on a side of the casing 501, and a key top portion of the JOG dial 502 is exposed from the opening 505. It is mounted on the circuit board 503. The JOG dial 502 has a circular shape and is rotatably attached to the circuit board 503 via a shaft 506 (rotating shaft). The JOG dial 502 is configured so that most of the JOG dial 502 occupies the inside of the casing except the key top portion.

  A magnetic body such as a magnet (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the JOG dial 502, and is located at a position interlinking with the magnetic field generated by the magnetic body. The circuit board 503 has a predetermined angle with the two Hall ICs 507 and 508. Is mounted, and when the magnetic body on the back of the JOG dial crosses the Hall ICs 507 and 508, a two-phase rotation detection signal is output.

  Further, the shaft 506 is biased by a biasing member (not shown) from the circuit board 503 toward the outside of the housing 501. The circuit board 503 facing the axis direction of the shaft 506 is provided with a dome switch 504, and the dome switch 504 can be turned on or off by pushing the JOG dial 502 over the urging force of the urging member. Yes.

  In relation to an input device provided with this type of JOG dial, Patent Document 1 discloses a portable information terminal and a program. According to this portable information terminal, the terminal device main body is provided with a display unit, and a JOG dial substantially at the center of the main body. The JOG dial is provided at a position different from the display unit. The JOG dial is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and the image displayed on the display unit is rotated in conjunction with the rotation. In addition, when the JOG dial is pressed in the direction of the main body, the image range is changed. By configuring the information terminal in this way, various operations can be executed more comfortably. In other words, the JOG dial employs a mechanical structure to give the operator a tactile sensation synchronized with the change of the display unit every time an input item is selected on the display unit.

  Further, in relation to an input device with vibration, Patent Document 2 discloses an input device that can be mounted on an electronic device such as an air conditioner or an audio. According to this input device, the operation element having the functions of a rotary switch, a push switch, and a slide switch is provided. By operating, rotating, sliding, or pressing the operation element, an operation item is selected or an input confirmation operation is performed. During the finalizing operation, vibration is accompanied. By configuring the apparatus in this way, the operation burden can be greatly reduced.

  FIG. 73 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of another input device 600 according to the conventional example. An input device 600 shown in FIG. 73 includes a non-rotating key top 602 having a flat surface. The input device 600 includes a housing 601 having a predetermined size. An opening 605 is provided on a side of the housing 601, and the key top 602 is exposed from the opening 605 with respect to the circuit board. It is mounted movably. The key top 602 is combined with the opening 605 of the housing 601, and the non-operation surface is mounted toward the inside of the housing 601. The key top 602 includes a flange-shaped flange 606, and the flange 606 is hooked inside the opening 605. This prevents the key top 602 from coming out of the opening 605.

  A circuit board 603 is provided inside the key top 602, and a dome switch is provided on the circuit board 603, and is operated to be turned on and / or off by pushing the key top 602. Inside the key top 602, a sensor 613, a pusher 619, a dome switch 604, and a circuit board 603 are arranged in this order. The pusher 619 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the sensor 613 and the side portion of the circuit board 603. As described above, when the key top 602 having a flat surface is attached to the side portion of the casing, it is possible to adopt a structure in which the key top portion hardly occupies the casing as compared with the JOG dial described above.

  In relation to the function of the input device, Patent Literature 3 discloses a menu selection device. According to this menu selection device, an item selection means and an item input means are provided, the item input means is provided on the item selection means, the item selection and input are assigned to the same key, and the item display and item selection input key Are juxtaposed. By configuring the apparatus in this way, it is possible to execute item selection and human power instruction (determination) using the same key.

  Furthermore, in connection with the key top exposed from the opening, Patent Document 4 discloses an input device. According to this input device, a window hole is provided at a predetermined position of the casing, and an operation button exposed from the window hole is slid to select an item, or another operation knob is pressed to perform page feed or Changed the item selection screen such as scrolling. By configuring the apparatus in this way, the item selection operation can be executed easily and accurately.

  Patent Document 5 discloses an input device. According to this input device, a window hole is provided at a predetermined position of the casing, and an item is selected by sliding an operation button exposed from the window hole or specified by pressing another operation knob. The predetermined area in the item selection screen is enlarged and displayed. By configuring the apparatus in this way, the item selection operation can be executed easily and accurately.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-256120 (pages 2 to 3 and FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-070505 (FIG. 3 on page 5) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-230310 (Page 2 Fig. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-063230 (FIG. 16 on page 9) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-063227 (page 8 FIG. 15)

  By the way, according to a digital camera with a tactile input function and an electronic apparatus such as an information processing device, a mobile phone, and an information portable terminal device according to the conventional example, there are the following problems.

  i. According to the portable information terminal in which the display unit and the JOG dial as shown in Patent Document 1 are separately arranged, only a single tactile sensation that generates a mechanical structure can be given to the operator. However, the current situation is that the tactile sensation has no impact. In addition, the JOG dial is configured such that most of the JOG dial, except for the key top portion, occupies the inside of the housing. Accordingly, an area (space) for mounting other components is reduced, and the electronic device to which the input device is applied is prevented from being made compact.

  ii. In addition, according to electronic devices such as those disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, an input device with a touch input function in which various types of touch panels and display units are combined is mounted, and an icon is selected on the display unit. In this case, it is not possible to give the operator a tactile sensation synchronized with the selection.

  iii. Incidentally, when a plurality of vibrators and input means are combined to form an input device with a tactile function and a touch operation is performed linearly on the input operation surface to obtain a tactile sense, Patent Document 1 The combination of a mechanism that separates the display unit and input means and an input function that combines various types of touch panels and display units not only complicates the manufacturing process but also allows the operator to input If the speed at which the touch operation is performed on the operation surface is different, it is expected that a satisfactory tactile sensation cannot be obtained. As a result, the cost of the electronic device is increased.

  iv. According to the input device as seen in Patent Documents 4 and 5, the operation button exposed from the window hole provided at a predetermined position of the casing is slid to select an item, or another operation knob is pressed. Then, the item selection screen such as page turning and scrolling is switched. However, the operation mechanism becomes complicated, which may hinder the downsizing and thinning of the operation unit, the operability of the operation unit may be reduced, and there is a risk of malfunction. Moreover, a complicated operation mechanism leads to an increase in cost.

  v. Currently, according to the input device for which the present inventors have applied for a patent, a sensor sheet that has a function of a tracing input operation and a pressing operation and is a common member necessary for the tracing input operation is integrated and folded in two. Some of them are for the purpose of improving the yield when parts of a flexible wiring board (FPC board) are taken. However, even if the number of parts of the FPC board can be maximized, there is a concern that the FPC board may be bent in two, which may hinder downsizing and thinning of the operation unit. Therefore, there is a problem that the assembling property is reduced and the cost is increased as compared with the structure of the input device having no tracing function.

  Therefore, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and devise the contact structure of the detection electrode for detecting the sliding position and the switch part to reduce the size and thickness of the operation part and its operability. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device and an electronic apparatus that can be improved, reduce malfunctions, reduce costs, and simplify a manufacturing process.

  The above-described problem is an input device that inputs information by a sliding operation by an operating body, and is provided in a housing having an operating surface, and detects a sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal. A detection unit including a capacitance sheet member; and an operation unit that is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit and that is slid along the operation surface of the housing. A convex portion that rises from the operation surface along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface, and the capacitance sheet member is turned on / off by a pushing operation to the operation portion of the operation body. And a first input device having a switch part to turn off.

  According to the first input device of the present invention, the capacitance sheet member has the sheet-like detection electrode that detects the sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal. A part is raised in a dome shape, and a portion of the detection electrode raised in a dome shape forms a movable contact constituting a switch portion.

  Therefore, when information is input by a sliding operation by the operating body, a sliding operation feeling that rises from the one operation surface of the housing along the sliding direction with respect to the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the input device. In addition, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that rises toward the other operation surface.

  In addition, with respect to the pushing operation of the operating body into the operating part, the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in a dome shape and the fixed contact constituting the switch part are connected. Therefore, the same electrostatic capacitance sheet member can be used for both the detection electrode constituting the capacitive sheet for detecting the sliding position and the movable contact constituting the switch part for the determination confirmation key.

  A first electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing having an operation surface, and an input device that is provided in the housing and inputs information by a sliding operation using an operating body. A detection unit including a capacitive sheet member that detects a sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal, and is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit, along the operation surface of the housing The operation portion includes a convex shape that rises from one operation surface of the housing along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface. The capacitance sheet member is configured to include a switch unit that is turned on and / or off by an operation of pushing the operating body into the operation unit.

  According to the first electronic device according to the present invention, since the first input device according to the present invention is provided, the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the electronic device can be performed from one operation surface of the housing. In addition to the sliding operation feeling that rises along the sliding direction, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that rises toward the other operation surface. Further, the same electrostatic capacitance sheet member can be used for both the detection electrode constituting the capacitive sheet for detecting the sliding position and the movable contact constituting the switch part for the determination confirmation key.

  A second input device according to the present invention is an input device for inputting information by a sliding operation by an operating body, and is provided in a housing having an operating surface, and detects a sliding position of the operating body to detect a position. A detection unit including a capacitance sheet member that outputs a detection signal; and an operation unit that is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit and that is slid along the operation surface of the housing. And a concave shape that digs down along the sliding direction from one operating surface of the casing and digs toward the other operating surface, and the capacitance sheet member is connected to the operating portion of the operating body. It has a switch part which is turned on and / or off by a pushing operation.

  According to the second input device of the present invention, the capacitance sheet member has a sheet-like detection electrode that detects a sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal. A part is raised in a dome shape, and a portion of the detection electrode raised in a dome shape forms a movable contact constituting a switch portion.

  Therefore, when information is input by a sliding operation by the operating body, a sliding that is dug down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing in response to the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the input device. In addition to the operation sensation, it is possible to give a sliding operation sensation that digs toward the other operation surface.

  In addition, with respect to the pushing operation of the operating body into the operating part, the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in a dome shape and the fixed contact constituting the switch part are connected. Therefore, the same electrostatic capacitance sheet member can be used for both the detection electrode constituting the capacitive sheet for detecting the sliding position and the movable contact constituting the switch part for the determination confirmation key.

  A second electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing having an operation surface, and an input device that is provided in the housing and inputs information by a sliding operation by an operating body, and the input device is disposed in the housing. A detection unit including a capacitive sheet member that detects the sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal; and is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit, along the operation surface of the housing The operation unit includes a concave shape that is dug in the sliding direction from one operation surface of the casing and dug toward the other operation surface. The capacitance sheet member is configured to include a switch unit that is turned on and / or off by an operation of pushing the operating body into the operation unit.

  According to the second electronic device according to the present invention, since the second input device according to the present invention is provided, the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the electronic device can be performed from one operation surface of the housing. In addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs down along the sliding direction, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that digs toward the other operation surface.

  In addition, with respect to the pushing operation of the operating body into the operating part, the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in a dome shape and the fixed contact constituting the switch part are connected. Therefore, the same electrostatic capacitance sheet member can be used for both the detection electrode constituting the capacitive sheet for detecting the sliding position and the movable contact constituting the switch part for the determination confirmation key.

  According to the first input device of the present invention, the operation unit that is slid along the operation surface of the casing is provided, and the operation unit swells along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the casing. And it has the convex part shape which rises toward the other operation surface, and an electrostatic capacitance sheet member has a switch part which turns on and / or off by pushing operation to the operation part of an operation body.

  With this structure, in addition to a sliding operation sensation that rises in the sliding direction from one operating surface of the housing, a sliding operation by an operating body that operates the input device is raised toward the other operating surface. It is possible to give a feeling of sliding operation to be lowered.

  In addition, since the connection structure of the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in the dome shape and the fixed contact constituting the switch part can be adopted, a capacitance sheet for detecting the sliding position is provided. The detection electrode to be configured and the movable contact constituting the switch part for the determination confirmation key can be shared by the same capacitance sheet member.

  As a result, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool with a dome key that has a structure different from that of the conventional rotary side jog tool and can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to that of the side jog tool. . In addition, since the operation unit can be reduced in size and thickness, and its operability can be improved, it is possible to reduce the malfunction of the input device, reduce the cost, and simplify the manufacturing process.

  According to the first electronic device according to the present invention, since the first input device according to the present invention is provided, the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the electronic device can be performed from one operation surface of the housing. In addition to the sliding operation feeling that rises along the sliding direction, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that rises toward the other operation surface.

  In addition, since it is possible to adopt a connection structure between the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in a dome shape and the fixed contact that constitutes the switch part, a conventional rotary type side with a dome key is adopted. It is possible to provide an electronic apparatus having a non-rotating side jog tool with a dome key that has a structure different from that of the jog tool and can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to that of the side jog tool. In addition, since the input device can be reduced in size and thickness, and the operability thereof can be improved, the malfunction of the electronic device can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  According to the second input device of the present invention, it is provided with the operation unit that is slid along the operation surface of the housing, and the operation unit is moat along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing. The capacitance sheet member has a switch part that is turned on and / or off by pushing the operation body into the operation part. is there.

  With this structure, the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the input device is directed to the other operation surface in addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing. It can give a feeling of sliding operation.

  In addition, since the connection structure of the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in the dome shape and the fixed contact constituting the switch part can be adopted, the non-rotating side of the first input device A non-rotating side jog tool or the like having an inverted structure can be provided for the jog tool or the like. In addition, since the operation unit can be reduced in size and thickness, and its operability can be improved, it is possible to reduce the malfunction of the input device, reduce the cost, and simplify the manufacturing process.

  According to the second electronic device according to the present invention, since the second input device according to the present invention is provided, the sliding operation by the operating body that operates the electronic device can be performed from one operation surface of the housing. In addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs down along the sliding direction, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that digs toward the other operation surface.

  In addition, since the connection structure of the movable contact of the switch part formed by the part of the detection electrode partially raised in the dome shape and the fixed contact constituting the switch part can be adopted, the non-rotating side of the first input device A non-rotating side jog tool or the like having an inverted structure can be provided for the jog tool or the like. In addition, since the input device can be reduced in size and thickness, and the operability thereof can be improved, the malfunction of the electronic device can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  Subsequently, an embodiment of an input device and an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1A and 1B are perspective views showing a configuration example of a mobile phone 101 including an input device 10 as a first embodiment according to the present invention.
A cellular phone 101 illustrated in FIG. 1A constitutes an example of an electronic device and has a slide-type housing structure. The mobile phone 101 includes an upper casing 11a and a lower casing 11b on which the input device 10 according to the present invention is mounted. The upper housing 11a is engaged with the lower housing 11b so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, for example. As shown in FIG. 1B, the mobile phone 101 has an operation surface slide storage structure in which the operation surface on the lower housing 11b is covered with the upper housing 11a.

  The upper casing 11a is provided with a display unit 29 having a predetermined size, and displays a standby screen, a partner telephone number, and the like. A liquid crystal display monitor is used for the display unit 29. The input device 10 is provided in the lower housing 11b. The input device 10 has operation surfaces on the top and sides, and an operation panel on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” keys, “#” keys, and the like are arranged. 18.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration example of the input device 10. An input device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a device for inputting information by a sliding operation with an operating body, for example, an operator's thumb (hereinafter simply referred to as a finger 30a).

  The input device 10 includes a circuit board 17, a sensor 13, and a key top 14 in addition to numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. In this example, an opening 11c of a predetermined size is provided at a predetermined position of the lower housing 11b, for example, on the operation surface on the left side of the lower housing 11b.

  A circuit board 17 for mounting electronic components is disposed inside the lower housing 11b. The circuit board 17 is provided with a sensor 13 and operates to detect the sliding position of the finger 30a such as the thumb of the operator when the cellular phone 101 is operated with the left hand. The sensor 13 uses a capacitance sheet member that detects the pressure applied at the sliding position by converting it into capacitance. When the sensor 13 made of a capacitance sheet member is mounted, the sliding position of the operator's finger is detected and a position detection signal is output. The “cursor moving method” described in Japanese Patent No. 3920833 and the “coordinate input device” described in Japanese Patent No. 3909230 can be applied to the capacitance sheet member.

  In addition to the electrostatic capacitance sheet member, a pressure detection sheet member using a piezoresistance effect is used for the sensor 13. The pressure detection sheet member reads a change in resistance due to the applied pressure at the sliding position and converts it into an electrical signal. The “force sensor, force detection system, and force detection program” described in JP-A-2005-326293 can be applied to the pressure detection sheet member. When the sensor 13 composed of the pressure detection sheet member is mounted, the pressure at the sliding position of the operator's finger is detected and a pressure detection signal is output.

  The key top 14 is combined with the opening 11c opened in the operation surface on the left side of the lower housing 11b. The key top 14 constitutes an example of an operation unit, is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor 13, and is slid along the operation surface on the left side of the lower housing 11b. For example, the non-operation surface of the key top 14 has a flat shape, and has a flange 14a (collar portion) at the peripheral edge of the non-operation surface.

  The key top 14 is mounted in a state in which the non-operation surface is combined toward the inside of the lower housing 11b and the flange 14a is caught by the opening 11c on the left side of the lower housing 11b and is prevented from being detached. The key top 14 has a convex shape that rises from the one operation surface of the lower casing 11b along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface.

  In this example, the convex shape of the key top 14 provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor 13 forms an arc having a predetermined height and width. The key top 14 is slid along the arc shape. In this way, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises in an arc shape along the sliding direction from one operating surface of the lower housing 11b with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, An arc-like sliding operation feeling that rises upward can be provided. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like that has a structure different from that of the conventional rotating side jog tool and can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to the side jog tool. When searching for various information, the key top 14 of this shape is, for example, a scroll key for selecting a phone book, selecting a file, or enlarging / reducing, or a determination key thereof, or a volume key for adjusting the volume. It can be applied as an information selection key.

  In this example, the key top 14 is made of a material different from the material of the lower housing 11b. Here, when the surface roughness of the material constituting the key top 14 is A and the surface roughness of the material constituting the lower housing 11b is B, the surface roughness A is between the surface roughness A and the surface roughness B. A relationship of A <B is set. For example, PC resin, ABS resin, or these synthetic resins are used for the lower casing 11b. The key top 14 is made of aluminum (Al) or an alloy thereof. It is preferable that the surface roughness A of the protrusions constituting the key top 14 is smaller than the surface roughness B of the lower housing 11b as a whole. The protruding portion may be made of PC resin, ABS resin, synthetic resin, or the like, and the surface thereof may be coated with aluminum, an alloy thereof, or the like.

  If the material of the key top 14 is configured in this way, it swells along the sliding direction from the left side operation surface as compared to the sliding operation on the left side operation surface of the lower housing 11b, and on the other operation surface. The sliding operation of the raised part can be smoothly performed, and information can be easily selected by the sliding operation of the operator's finger 30a.

  In this example, the detection area where the sensor 13 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is set wider than the operation area where the key top 14 is slid by the author's finger 30a. If it does in this way, with respect to sliding operation with an operator's finger | toe 30a, one operation surface and the other operation surface of the lower housing | casing 11b which pinched | interposed the convex shaped key top 14 are included in a sliding operation range Can do. The key top 14 having this shape can set a wide range of volume adjustment pitches such as a scroll key search pitch for searching various information and a volume key for adjusting the volume.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a dimension setting example of the protruding portion of the key top 14. The hatched portion shown in FIG. 3 has a circular arc shape. In the drawing, a line segment indicated by a two-dot chain line corresponds to the side operation surface I. This arc-shaped convex shape is a portion formed on the left side of the side operation surface I when a circle intersecting with the side operation surface I is drawn. Here, the diameter of the circle is φ, and the angle formed by the top of the arc convex shape and the bottom of the arc convex shape with respect to the circular origin O is θ, the arc angle of the arc convex shape is 2θ. In this example, 2θ = 2 × 29.2 °. Further, let d be the protruding distance of the arc-shaped convex protruding leftward from the side operation surface I, and let l be the protruding length in the sliding direction.

  Thus, for example, when a circular shape having a diameter of φ = 20 mm and an arc angle 2θ = 58.4 ° are set with respect to the side operation surface I, the protruding distance d of the exposed portion is 1.3 mm, and the protruding length thereof. It is possible to obtain the shape of the protruding portion of the key top 14 with l = 10.008 mm and the outer peripheral length l ′ = 10.18 mm.

  The outer peripheral length l ′ of the arc-shaped exposed portion is given by 2π · φ · θ / 360 °. In this example, when setting the outer peripheral length l ′ of the exposed portion of the key top 14 and the number of pulses obtained from the sensor 13 by the sliding operation, when trying to obtain 6 pulses from the sensor 13, the sliding distance Is set to 1.7 mm / pulse. Similarly, when trying to obtain 5 pulses, the sliding distance is set to 2.03 mm / pulse, and when obtaining 4 pulses, the sliding distance is set to 2.545 mm / pulse. When trying to obtain a pulse, the sliding distance is set to 3.39 mm / pulse.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of detection sensitivity of the input device 10. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is the sliding position in the sliding direction. The vertical axis represents the detection sensitivity of the sensor 13. In the figure, X is the position of the ascending start portion (first skirt), and when the key top 14 is slid along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11b, the arc of the key top 14 is shown. This is the position where the convex shape starts to rise. Y is the position of the descending end (second hem), and when the key top 14 is continuously slid toward the other operation surface, the arcuate convex shape of the key top 14 ends the rise. is there.

  In this example, regarding the detection sensitivity of the sensor 13, for example, when a capacitance sheet member is used for the sensor 13, the detection sensitivity is constant (maximum sensitivity) before the arc-shaped upward start portion X of the key top 14. Is obtained. Further, the detection sensitivity decreases with increasing distance from the ascending start portion X to the descending end portion Y, and reaches the lowest sensitivity at almost the central portion. Furthermore, the detection sensitivity increases as it approaches the downward end portion Y from the central portion, exceeds the downward end portion Y, and thereafter, a constant (maximum sensitivity) detection sensitivity is obtained. A sensor 13 having a detection sensitivity having a concave shape (reverse Ω shape) in which the protrusion distance d of the key top 14 changes in a quadratic function with respect to the sliding direction is used.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of position detection of the input device 10. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the time related to the sliding operation. The vertical axis represents the position detection information of the sensor 13. In the figure, X is the position of the above-described upward start portion (first skirt portion), and Y is the position of the downward end portion (second skirt portion).

  In this example, regarding the position detection information of the sensor 13, for example, when a capacitive sheet member is used for the sensor 13, at a constant sliding speed from the front side of the arc-shaped upward start portion X of the key top 14. When an operation is performed so as to rise from the one operation surface of the lower casing 11b along the sliding direction, to rise toward the other operation surface, and to slide through the descending end portion Y, It is possible to obtain position information that connects the descending end portion Y with a substantially straight line.

  According to this position detection information, position detection information indicating the uplink start part X is obtained when passing the uplink start part X at time t1, and position indicating the downlink end part Y when passing the downlink end part Y at time t2. Detection information is obtained. A sensor 13 that can obtain position detection information that changes in a linear function with respect to the time related to the sliding operation of the key top 14 is used.

  In the conventional method, the sliding position of the operating body is determined only by the value of the position detection information. However, when the sensor 13 for outputting the detection sensitivity and position detection information shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is used, the position detection information is used. And the time change rate of each of the position detection information and the detection sensitivity, the sliding position of the operating body, the pushing force, etc. can be comprehensively determined, and the application displayed on the display unit 29 can be input processed. It becomes like this. Thereby, in the input device 10, when a dome switch is combined, a malfunction can be prevented when the dome switch is touched unintentionally (see the third embodiment).

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operation range of the input device 10. In FIG. 6, (1) is an operation range of the input device 10 and shows a range in which the operator's finger 30 a actually slides. (2) shows the protruding region of the key top 14 (the protruding length l of the exposed portion). (3) shows a detection area in the sensor 13. An electrostatic capacitance sheet member, a pressure detection sheet member, and the like are spread over the entire surface of the detection region.

  In this example, in order to realize reliable operability of the input device 10, the relationship of the detection area (3) of the sensor 13> the protruding area (2) of the key top 14 is set. This is because when the operator's finger 30 a slides on the key top 14, the finger 30 a extends over a wide area before and after the projecting region (2) of the key top 14. To trace. If the detection area (3) of the sensor 13 is set wide, a large amount of movement per pulse can be secured.

  The control unit 15 is connected to the sensor 13 to detect the sliding operation speed of the operator's finger 30a, and the display unit 29 (see FIGS. 2 and 7A) according to the sliding operation speed of the operator's finger 30a. The display pitch of the scroll images 29a'29b 'is adjusted. The scroll images 29a 'and 29b' are displayed on the display unit.

  7A and 7B are cross-sectional views showing an example of setting the slide amount Sx in the input device 10. The display unit 29 shown in FIG. 7A displays scroll images 29 a ′ and 29 b ′ corresponding to the sliding position of the operator's finger 30 a detected by the sensor 13. The scroll image 29a 'in this example is a display by an application related to display character selection or the like with few selection items. The scroll screen, "large Hello", the character icon image of "medium Hello" and "small Hello" is displayed, the operator is operated to set either the size of the characters. Character icon image of "Hello" is gradually smaller display.

  In this example, the display screen of the display unit 29 is divided into eight display areas, and a scroll image 29a 'related to display character selection is displayed using these four display areas. The display pitch of the scroll image 29a 'is displayed at P1. When the length of the screen of the display unit 29 is L [mm], one display area is about L / 8 mm. For example, when the screen length L of the display unit 29 is 40 mm, one display area is 5 mm and the display pitch P1 is 5 mm. When the number x of selection items that can fit on one screen is Max or less with respect to the display pitch P1 = 5 mm, for example, S1 = 4 mm is set as the slide amount Sx of the key top 14.

  On the other hand, the scroll image 29b is displayed at the display pitch P2 on the display unit 29 shown in FIG. 7B. In this example, the display pitch P2 shown in FIG. 7B is set to P2 = P1 / 2 compared to the display pitch P1 shown in FIG. 7A. In this case, there are many selection items compared to the display of the application related to the display character selection or the like in FIG. 7A, and an input process of searching the other party's telephone number from the telephone number registration column is assumed. In this telephone number registration field, for example, display fields such as incoming call history, outgoing call history, outgoing frequency, etc. are provided, and the telephone number is displayed together with the name of the other party.

  According to the example of the screen length L of the display unit 29 shown in FIG. 7A, as shown in FIG. 7B, one display area is switched to 2.5 mm and the display pitch P2 is switched to 2.5 mm. In this example, the number x of selection items that can fit on one screen exceeds Max with respect to the display pitch P2 = 2.5 mm. For example, S2 = 2 mm is set as the slide amount Sx of the key top 14. The Thus, according to the number of selection items displayed on one screen of the display unit 29, the slide amount Sx = S1, S2 in the sliding operation of the key top 14 can be set. Of course, the slide amount Sx of the key top 14 may be arbitrarily set based on the length of the electrical detection area (3) of the sensor 13 and the total number of selection items existing in the scroll direction.

  By configuring the control system in this way, when the sliding operation speed of the operator's finger 30a is high at the time of information retrieval, the display pitch Px of the scroll image 29b ′ on the display unit is set narrowly. When the sliding operation speed of the finger 30a is slow, the display pitch Px of the scroll image 29a ′ on the display unit can be adjusted to be set wide. Accordingly, when there are a plurality of information search targets, when the target scroll image is far from the target scroll image, the scroll image is roughly sent, and when the target scroll image is approached, the scroll image is slowly sent. It becomes like this.

  8A to 8C are conceptual diagrams illustrating an operation example of the input device 10. In this example, when the input device 10 is operated with the left hand, an arc convex shape that rises from the one operation surface of the lower housing 11b along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface. A key top 14 having A capacitive sheet member is used for the sensor 13, and a detection area in which the sensor 13 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30 a is an operation area in which the key top 14 is slid by the operator's finger 30 a. For example, a case where the setting is wider than the above is given.

  In FIG. 8A, first, the operator presses the left thumb on the upper part of the operation range (1) of the input device 10. Next, the operator's finger 30a is slid along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11b. At this time, the operator's finger 30a slides on the detection region (3) of the sensor 13 in the lower housing 11b.

  When the operator's finger 30a continues the sliding operation on the projecting region (2) of the exposed portion of the key top 14, it rises from the ascending start portion X and reaches the top portion of the key top 14 shown in FIG. 8B. Further, when the sliding operation on the projecting region (2) is continued, it rises toward the other operation surface and reaches the downward end portion Y of the key top 14 shown in FIG. 8C.

  In this example, while the sliding operation is performed in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the sensor 13 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30 a and outputs a position detection signal #S 1 to the control unit 15. Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises in an arc shape along the sliding direction from one operating surface of the lower housing 11b with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, toward the other operating surface. A rising arc-shaped sliding operation feeling can be provided. In addition, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like that has a structure different from that of the conventional rotating side jog tool and that can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to that of the side jog tool.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a setting example (fixed value selection) of the slide amount Sx in the input device 10. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the number x of selection items that can fit in one screen of the display unit 29 is not more than Max, S1 = 4 mm is set as the slide amount Sx of the key top 14. If the number x of selection items that can be accommodated in one screen exceeds Max, a case where S2 = 2 mm is set as the slide amount Sx of the key top 14 will be described as an example.

  With these as setting conditions, the control unit 15 waits for input instructions of various applications in step ST1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, for example, the operator scrolls images 29b ′ such as an application related to display character selection with a small number of selection items and an application in a telephone number registration column with many selection items compared to display of an application related to display character selection. Is operated to instruct input via the input device 10. When there is no input for designating an application, the control unit 15 continues to wait for various application designations.

  When the control unit 15 has an input for designating various applications, the process proceeds to step ST2, and the control unit 15 includes a plurality of scroll images 29a ′, 29b ′, and the like that constitute selection items in one screen of the display unit 29. Determine if it exists. Regarding the determination at this time, it is detected how many selection items exist in the scroll direction. According to the display example of the scroll image 29a ′ as shown in FIG. 7A, the display pitch is 5 mm and a maximum of eight (Max) selection items can be displayed in one screen of the display unit 29. In this case, the number x of selection items existing in the scroll direction is four.

  If the number x of selection items existing in the scroll direction is equal to or less than Max as a result of this determination, the process proceeds to step ST3, and the control unit 15 sets the slide amount Sx to S1 = 4 mm and displays the selection items. The display unit 29 is controlled to do so. At this time, the display unit 29 receives the display control of the control unit 15 and displays the scroll image 29a 'as shown in FIG. 7A. Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1.

  When the number x of the selection items described above exceeds Max, the process proceeds to step ST4, and the control unit 15 sets the slide amount Sx to S2 = 2 mm and switches the display unit 29 to switch the display of the selection items. Control. At this time, the display unit 29 receives display control from the control unit 15 and, for example, from the scroll image 29a ′ having the display pitch P1 as shown in FIG. 7A to the scroll image having the display pitch P2 as shown in FIG. 7B. 29b 'is switched and displayed. Thereafter, the process returns to step ST1. Thereby, according to the number x of selection items displayed on one screen of the display unit 29, the slide amount Sx in the sliding operation of the key top 14 can be set as Sx = S1, S2.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another setting example (setting value variable) of the slide amount Sx in the input device 10. In this example, an example is given in which the length of the electrical detection region (3) of the sensor 13 is Xs [mm].

  With this as a setting condition for the slide amount Sx, the control unit 15 waits for designation of various applications in step ST11 of the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, for example, the operator scrolls images 29a ′ such as an application relating to display character selection with a small number of selection items and an application in a telephone number registration column having many selection items as compared with display of an application relating to selection of display characters. And 29b 'and the like are input via the input device 10. If there is no input for specifying an application, standby for specifying various applications is continued.

  If the control unit 15 has an input for designating various applications, the process proceeds to step ST12, and the control unit 15 detects the total number Ys of selection items existing in the scroll direction. In this example, how many selection items exist in the scroll direction is detected. For example, a memory storing selection items related to the application is searched, and the total number Ys of selection items existing in the scroll direction is read.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST3, where the control unit 15 calculates the slide amount Sx of the key top 14 and sets it on the display unit 29. In this example, when the total number of selection items existing in the scroll direction is Ys, and the length Xs [mm] of the electrical detection area (3) of the sensor 13, the control unit 15 sets Xs / Ys. The slide amount Sx = Xs / Ys is set in the display unit 29 by calculation. Then, it returns to step ST11. Thereby, the slide amount Sx of the key top 14 can be arbitrarily set based on the length Xs of the electrical detection region (3) of the sensor 13 and the total number Ys of selection items existing in the scroll direction. .

  Thus, according to the mobile phone 101 according to the present invention, when the input device 10 according to the first embodiment is provided and information is input by a sliding operation in one direction by the operator's finger 30a, In addition to a sliding operation sensation that rises in the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11b with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a that operates the input device 10, it faces the other operation surface. Can give a sense of sliding operation.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like that has a structure different from that of the conventional rotating side jog tool and can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to the side jog tool. Moreover, since the key top 14 can be reduced in size, the capacitance sheet can be reduced in thickness, and the operability thereof can be improved, the malfunction of the input device 10 can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11b as shown in FIG. 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the key top 14 and other keys described below are also provided. The operation unit such as the top may be provided on the operation surface on the right side of the lower housing 11b, the operation surface above or below it, the operation surface on the front or back side, and the like. Furthermore, you may provide an operation part in the operation surface of the left or right side part of the upper housing | casing 11a, the operation surface of the upper or lower side, the operation surface of the surface or back side, etc. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained when it is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11b or the upper casing 11a.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 20 as the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a speaker 36b with an actuator function that constitutes the function of a vibrating body is provided in the input device 20 shown in FIG. 11, and vibrates with respect to the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a detected by the sensor 13. To be generated. As the speaker 36b, a vibrating body having a speaker function as shown in FIG. 12 is used. The speaker 36b is attached to, for example, a portion inside the lower housing 11b and close to the position where the key top 14 is disposed.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view seen from the front showing a configuration example of the speaker 36b with an actuator function. The speaker 36b shown in FIG. 12 has an actuator function capable of generating a sense of touch in addition to the speaker function. The speaker 36b can be applied to an information processing device that presents a tactile sensation to an operator when selecting an icon from a display screen for selecting an input item and inputting information, a mobile phone, a mobile terminal device, and the like. It is a thing.

  The speaker 36b has a housing portion 6, and the lid member 1 is engaged after the components are incorporated. The size of the housing part 6 is about 15 [mm] in length, about 5 [mm] in width, and about 3 [mm] in height. The lid member 1 has an opening at a predetermined site. In this example, four openings 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are provided so that sound leaks to the outside. For the lid member 1, for example, a resin molded product is used.

  A yoke 5 is disposed in the housing portion 6. The yoke 5 has a bottomed cylindrical recess 5 a and is movably disposed in the housing portion 6. For example, the yoke 5 is movably supported in the housing portion 6 by two flat wave springs 51 and 52.

  In this example, one end of the spring spring 51 is joined to one edge of the recess 5 a of the yoke 5, and the other end is fixed to one upper edge of the housing part 6. One end of the spring spring 52 is joined to the other edge of the recess of the yoke 5, and the other end is fixed to the other upper edge of the housing part 6. In this example, the shape of the spring member that elastically supports the vibration system is a flat wave shape.

  A magnet 4 (permanent magnet) is fixed to the bottom of the yoke 5 that is movably supported in the housing portion 6. For the magnet 4, for example, neodymium having a columnar shape is used. A movable coil 3 (voice coil) is movably disposed around the magnet 4. The coil 3 has a winding shaft portion. The coil 3 is supplied with an audio signal, a vibration generation signal, and the like.

  A diaphragm 2 is attached to one side of the winding shaft portion of the coil 3 described above, and an outer edge portion thereof is sandwiched between the lid member 1 and the housing portion 6. In addition, lead electrodes 7 a and 7 b are provided outside the bottom surface of the housing portion 6, and are connected to the coil 3 inside the housing portion 6. An audio signal, a vibration generation signal, or the like is input to the extraction electrodes 7a and 7b.

  In addition, between the two extraction electrodes 7a and 7b provided outside the bottom surface of the housing portion 6 and on the bottom surface portion of the housing portion 6, for example, two openings 6a and 6b are provided. Mesh seals 8a and 8b are affixed to the outside of the two openings 6a and 6b. The mesh seal 8a is provided so as to cover the opening 6a, and the mesh seal 8b is provided so as to cover the opening 6b. The function of the mesh seals 8a and 8b is to ensure the breathing function inside and outside the housing portion 6.

  The lead electrode 7 a has a terminal 7 c and the lead electrode 7 b has a terminal 7 d, and is connected to the lead wires 3 a and 3 b of the coil 3 on the side wall of the housing portion 6. For example, one lead wire 3a drawn from the coil 3 passes through the back surface on one side of the diaphragm 2 to reach the outer edge portion, is taken out from the upper edge portion of the housing portion 6, and moves downward on the side wall. Then, it reaches the terminal 7c and is connected to the extraction electrode 7a. Similarly, the other lead wire 3b drawn out from the coil 3 passes through the back surface on the other side of the diaphragm 2 to reach the outer edge portion, and is taken out from the upper edge portion of the housing portion 6 to the lower side of the side wall. Then, the terminal 7d is reached and connected to the extraction electrode 7b.

  The yoke 5 has a left arm 5b and a right arm 5c in addition to the bottomed cylindrical recess 5a. Weights 9a and 9b are joined to the lower surfaces of the left arm 5b and the right arm 5c. The weight 9b is also bonded to the lower surface of the right arm 5c using an adhesive. The weight 9a is joined to the lower surface of the left arm 5b of the weights 9a, 9b using an adhesive. The weight 9b is also bonded to the lower surface of the right arm 5c using an adhesive. The weights of the weights 9a and 9b are about 0.597 [g], for example. The weights 9a and 9b each have a thickness of about 2 mm, which is substantially equal to the distance from the lower surface of each of the left arm 5b and the right arm 5c to the bottom surface of the housing portion 6. A very small gap is provided between the lower surfaces of the weights 9 a and 9 b and the bottom surface of the housing portion 6. This is to ensure a stroke (space) between the upper and lower sides of the yoke 5 in the direction of the coil winding shaft while securing the weights of the weights 9a and 9b.

  As described above, according to the input device 20 as the second embodiment, the speaker 36b with an actuator function is mounted, and the speaker 36b is positioned with respect to the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a at the time of input operation or input confirmation. Vibration can be generated and a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11b as shown in FIG. 11 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 14 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11b. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 30 as the third embodiment. In this embodiment, a dome switch 25 that constitutes an example of a switch unit is provided, and is operated to be turned on and / or off by pressing the key top 14. As the dome switch 25, a part of the circuit board 17 or a part of the detection electrode of the capacitance sheet member as described in the eighteenth embodiment is applied.

  In the input device 30 shown in FIG. 13, a rectangular pusher 19 and a hemispherical dome switch 25 are added to the input device 20 described above. According to the input device 30, the key top 14 is incorporated into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b.

  For example, the key top 14 is formed by injecting PC (polycarbonate) resin, PC + ABS resin, or the like into a metal mold that is shaped like an arc. In this example, after the key top 14 is molded, UV (ultraviolet) coating is applied. For example, a solution that improves wearability is applied to the operation surface of the key top 14. Thereafter, the coating film surface is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the wear resistance of the operation surface of the key top 14 can be improved.

  For example, the lower casing 11b is formed by injecting a PC (polycarbonate) resin, PC + ABS resin, or the like into a mold modeled on the opening 11c.

  When the lower housing 11b is made of metal, an aluminum plate, a magnesium plate, a stainless steel plate such as SUS304 is used, and these members are opened at predetermined positions by pressing, deep drawing, or extruding. A lower housing 11b having 11c is formed. In this example, the non-operation surface of the key top 14 is combined toward the inner side of the lower housing 11b, and the flange 14a of the key top 14 is hooked on the inner side of the opening 11c. As a result, the key top 14 is prevented from coming out of the opening 11c.

  Inside the key top 14, the sensor 13, the pusher 19, the dome switch 25, and the circuit board 17 are arranged in this order. For example, the sensor 13 is formed continuously on a key-top array type operation panel 38 that forms numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like on the operation panel 18. Each key of the operation panel 38 has a rectangular shape. For example, the operation panel 38 forms silicon rubber by injecting silicon resin or the like into a mold that forms numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. The rubber sheet is formed by attaching a capacitance sheet or a pressure detection sheet. The pusher 19 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the sensor 13 and the side portion of the circuit board 17. As the circuit board 17, for example, a metal dome formed on a flexible wiring board and a waterproof and dustproof sheet attached to the upper part thereof is used.

  In this example, the pusher 19 has a length substantially equal to the detection region (3) of the sensor 13. This is because the sensor 13 such as a capacitance sheet member is held (backed) in a stable posture on the plane of the pusher 19. A dome switch 25 is mounted on the circuit board 17. The dome switch 25 includes a switch portion 25a and a cover member 25b. The switch part 25a is composed of a spring member and an electrode member, and the cover member 25b is composed of an insulating member.

  The dome switch 25 is turned on, for example, by overcoming the biasing force of the spring member and strongly pushing it with the finger 30a or the like. When the finger 30a is released from the dome switch 25, the key top 14 is brought into contact with the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b by the biasing force of the spring member. In addition to the dome switch 25, a plurality of key switches including numeric keys “0” to “9” of the operation panel 18, “*” key, “#” key, and the like are mounted on the circuit board 17.

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration example and the function example of the input device 30 as seen from above. According to the input device 30 shown in FIG. 14, the protrusion 19 a is provided at the substantially central portion of the pusher 19. The projecting portion 19a has a predetermined projecting length, for example, has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed at a position where the dome switch 25 of the circuit board 17 can be pressed at the tip, and is pushed by the key top 14 in the direction of the arrow. Is done. In the figure, a printed wiring 12 is provided on the circuit board 17 and wired from the dome switch 25 to the control unit 15 (see FIG. 6) to transmit a switch signal by turning on / off. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input device 30.

  As described above, according to the input device 30 according to the third embodiment, the side of the circuit board 17 includes the dome switch 25 that is pressed via the key top 14, the sensor 13, and the pusher 19, and the scroll image. After selecting information such as 29a 'and 29b', the key top 14 is pushed in. Therefore, by turning the dome switch 25 on and / or off, even the non-rotating key top 14 can be applied to the confirmation key when determining the input.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11b as shown in FIG. 14 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 14 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11b. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 40 according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as described in the second embodiment is provided in the input device 40 shown in FIG. 15, and the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a detected by the sensor 13 is detected. To generate vibration. As the speaker 36b, a vibrating body having a speaker function as shown in FIG. 12 is used. The speaker 36b is attached to, for example, a portion inside the lower housing 11b of the input device 40 and close to the position where the key top 14 is disposed. Since other components are the same as those in the first to third embodiments, the description thereof is omitted. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input device 40.

  As described above, according to the input device 40 as the fourth embodiment, the speaker 36b with an actuator function is mounted on the input device 30 according to the third embodiment. Similarly to the second embodiment, vibration can be generated by the speaker 36b with respect to the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a, and a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11b as shown in FIG. 15 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 14 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11b. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration example of the input device 50 as the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the pusher 19, a protruding member 19c is retrofitted. The input device 50 shown in FIG. 16 is configured such that the rectangular pusher 19 is deleted from the input device 40 described above, and a protruding member 19c is arranged instead.

  Inside the key top 14, the sensor 13, the protruding member 19c, the dome switch 25, and the circuit board 17 are arranged in this order. The protruding member 19 c is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the sensor 13 and the side portion of the circuit board 17. In this example, the protruding member 19c is attached to an approximately central portion of the detection region (3) of the sensor 13 with, for example, an adhesive. Of course, in the process of forming the sensor 13, the protruding member 19c may be integrally formed.

  This method was adopted because the capacitance sheet member sensor 13 in the third embodiment was lined with the flat portion of the pusher 19, whereas the plane sheet bending strength of the capacitance sheet member or the like was used. This is because the backing member can be omitted when the above is sufficiently retained. Since other components are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments, the description thereof is omitted. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input device 50.

  As described above, according to the input device 50 according to the fifth embodiment, the side portion of the circuit board 17 includes the dome switch 25 that is pressed through the key top 14, the sensor 13, and the protruding member 19c. After selecting information such as 29a 'and 29b', the key top 14 is pushed in. Therefore, by turning the dome switch 25 on and / or off, even the non-rotating key top 14 can be applied to the confirmation key when determining the input. In addition, since the protruding member 19c is retrofitted to the sensor 13, the number of parts and the part cost can be reduced.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11b as shown in FIG. 16 has been described. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 14 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11b. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 60 as the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the flat top key shape 14, a key top 141 having a back surface recess shape and a key top back surface insertion type pusher 191 having a back surface recess shape instead of the presser 19 are provided. It is what

  According to the input device 60 shown in FIG. 17, the operation surface of the key top 141 has the same arc convex shape as the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, but the back surface has a concave shape. . In this example, a pusher 191 having a convex shape that can be inserted into a concave portion on the back surface of the key top 141 is used. For example, a presser 191 having a convex shape is formed by encapsulating a resin in a mold that is shaped like an inner concave shape of the key top 141. A protrusion 91 b is provided in a substantially central portion of the pusher 191 in the same manner as the pusher 19.

  Also in the input device 60, the key top 141 is incorporated into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. At this time, the key top 141 is combined with its non-operation surface facing the inside of the lower housing 11b in the same manner as in the third embodiment, and the flange-like flange 14a of the key top 141 is inside the opening 11c. To be hooked. As a result, the key top 141 is prevented from coming out of the opening 11c.

  The sensor 13, the pusher 191, the dome switch 25, and the circuit board 17 are arranged in the inner recess of the key top 141. The protrusion 92b of the pusher 191 is disposed at a position where the sensor 13 can be pushed. The pusher 191 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 141 so as to follow the sensor 13. Also in this example, the pusher 191 has a length substantially equal to the detection region (3) of the sensor 13. Since the function of the dome switch 25 has been described in the third embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Of course, you may provide the speaker 36b with an actuator function which is not shown in figure. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input device 60.

  As described above, according to the input device 60 according to the sixth embodiment, the side portion of the circuit board 17 includes the dome switch 25 that is pressed through the key top 141, the sensor 13, and the pusher 191, and the scroll image. After selecting information such as 29a ′ and 29b ′, the key top 141 is pushed in. Therefore, by turning the dome switch 25 on and / or off, the key top 141 having a non-rotating back surface concave shape can be applied to the confirmation key when determining the input. This structure works advantageously when a sufficient space (separation distance) cannot be secured between the inner surface of the lower housing 11 b and the circuit board 17, and greatly contributes to the compactness of the input device 60.

  In this example, the case where the key top 141 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11b as shown in FIG. 17 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 141 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11b. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 70 as the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the lower casing 11d and the back flat key top 142 are integrally formed in place of the back flat key top 14.

  The input device 70 shown in FIG. 18 has a lower housing 11d with a key top having a flat back surface. According to the lower housing 11d, the operation surface of the key top 142 has the same arcuate convex shape as the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, but the main body is integrally formed with the lower housing 11d. . For example, resin is sealed in a mold that embodies the lower housing 11d and the key top 142, and the lower housing 11d with an arc-convex key top is integrally formed.

  In this example, in order to push in the dome switch 25, a structure is adopted in which the key top 142 can be moved inward of the lower housing 11d. For example, the vicinity of the upward start portion X and the vicinity of the downward end portion Y of the key top 142 are processed into a bellows shape. What is necessary is just to set suitably the part processed into a bellows shape according to the intensity | strength of the resin material which comprises the lower housing | casing 11d. As a result, both the sealing structure and the pushing structure of the key top 142 are made compatible.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13, the pusher 19, the dome switch 25, and the circuit board 17 are arranged inside the key top 142 in this order. The sensor 13 described in the third embodiment is used. The pusher 19 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the sensor 13 and the side portion of the circuit board 17. Since the configuration and function of the dome switch 25 are described in the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Of course, you may provide the speaker 36b with an actuator function which is not shown in figure. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input device 70.

  Thus, according to the input device 70 as the seventh embodiment, the lower housing 11d and the back flat key top 142 are integrally formed instead of the back flat key top 14. Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 70 is simplified as compared with the method in which the key top 14, 141, etc. are incorporated in the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. As a result, it is possible to provide the input device 70 with high water resistance.

  In addition, after selecting information such as the scroll images 29a 'and 29b', the key top 142 is pushed. Accordingly, by turning the dome switch 25 on and / or off, the key top 142 having a non-rotating type back surface sealing shape can be applied to the confirmation key when determining the input.

  In this example, the case where the key top 142 is provided on the left side of the lower casing 11d as shown in FIG. 18 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11d. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 80 according to the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the lower casing 11e and the key top 143 having a concave shape on the back surface are integrally formed in place of the key top 142 having a flat shape on the back surface.

  An input device 80 shown in FIG. 19 has a lower housing 11e with a key top having a concave shape on the back surface. According to the lower housing 11e, the operation surface of the key top 143 has the same arc convex shape as the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, but the back surface has a concave shape. In this example, a pusher 191 having a convex shape that can be inserted into a concave portion on the back surface of the key top 143 is used. For example, a presser 191 having a convex shape is formed by encapsulating a resin in a mold that is shaped like an inner concave shape of the key top 143. A protrusion 91 b is provided in a substantially central portion of the pusher 191 in the same manner as the pusher 19.

  The input device 80 also employs a structure that allows the key top 143 to move inward of the lower housing 11e in order to push the dome switch 25. For example, the vicinity of the upward start portion X and the vicinity of the downward end portion Y of the key top 143 are processed into a bellows shape. What is necessary is just to set suitably the part processed into a bellows shape according to the intensity | strength of the resin material which comprises the lower housing | casing 11e. As a result, both the sealing structure and the pushing structure of the key top 143 are made compatible.

  The sensor 13, the pusher 191, the dome switch 25, and the circuit board 17 are arranged in the inner recess of the key top 143 in this order. The protrusion 92b of the pusher 191 is disposed at a position where the sensor 13 can be pushed. The pusher 191 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 143 so as to be along the sensor 13. Also in this example, the pusher 191 has a length substantially equal to the detection region (3) of the sensor 13. Since the function of the dome switch 25 has been described in the third embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Of course, you may provide the speaker 36b with an actuator function which is not shown in figure. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input device 80.

  As described above, according to the input device 80 according to the eighth embodiment, the lower casing 11e and the key top 143 having the back recess shape are integrally formed in place of the key top 142 having the flat back surface. It is.

  Therefore, as described in the first to seventh embodiments, the assembly of the input device 80 is simplified as compared with the method in which the key top 14, 141, etc. are incorporated in the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide an input device 80 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance.

  In addition, after selecting information such as the scroll images 29a 'and 29b', the key top 143 is pushed in. Accordingly, by turning the dome switch 25 on and / or off, the key top 143 having a non-rotating back side sealed shape can be applied to the confirmation key when determining the input. Further, this structure works advantageously when a sufficient space (separation distance) cannot be secured between the inner surface of the lower housing 11e and the circuit board 17, and greatly contributes to the compactness of the input device 80.

  In this example, the case where the key top 143 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11e as shown in FIG. 19 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11e. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

20A to 20C are a perspective view illustrating an external appearance example of an input device 90 as a ninth embodiment and a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration example thereof.
In this embodiment, instead of the flat top key shape 143 described in the eighth embodiment, a lower housing 11f and a key top 144 having a back recess shape are integrally formed. The dome switch 25 and the pusher 191 are omitted.

  An input device 90 shown in FIG. 20A includes a lower housing 11f with a key top having a concave shape on the back surface. According to the lower housing 11f, the operation surface of the key top 144 has the same arc convex shape as the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 16, but the back surface has a concave shape as shown in FIG. 20B. is doing. For example, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower housing that has a circular arc shape to be the key top 144, and the lower housing 11f having a convex shape is formed.

  In this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 144. Thereby, the input device 90 having the key top 144 can be made to have a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11f and close to the key top 144, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In the above-described sealed structure, a method of protruding a part of the lower housing 11f into an arc-shaped convex shape is adopted, but as shown in FIG. 20C, the lower housing 11f ′ and the arc-shaped key top 144 ′ are separately provided. A structure may be adopted in which the key top 144 ′ is attached to the side surface of the lower housing 11f ′. For example, the key top 144 ′ is bonded to the side surface of the lower housing 11 f ′ with a UV curable resin or the like. Thereby, the input device 90 ′ having the key top 144 ′ can have a sealed structure. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input devices 90 and 90 '.

  Thus, according to the input device 90 according to the ninth embodiment, instead of the key top 142 having the flat back surface described in the seventh embodiment, the lower housing 11f and the key top 144 having the back recess shape are provided. Are integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 90 is simplified as compared with the method in which the key top 14, 141, etc. are incorporated in the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide an input device 90 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Of course, as shown in FIG. 20C, a structure in which the arc-topped key top 144 is attached to the flat side surface of the lower housing 11f may be adopted. This structure works advantageously when a sufficient space (separation distance) cannot be secured between the inner surface of the lower housing 11f and the circuit board 17 (not shown), and contributes to the compactness of the input devices 90 and 90 ′. However, it is big. By omitting the dome switch 25, the bellows-like process can be omitted in the vicinity of the ascending start portion X and the descending end portion Y of the key tops 144 and 144 '.

  In this example, the case where the key tops 144 and the like are provided on the left side of the lower housing 11f as shown in FIG. 20 has been described. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11f. However, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

21A to 21C are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the input device 100 as the tenth embodiment.
In this embodiment, instead of the arc-convex key top 144 described in the ninth embodiment, a lower housing 11g and a key top 145 having a surface trapezoidal shape are integrally formed. The dome switch 25 and the pusher 191 are omitted.

  The input device 100 shown in FIG. 21A has a lower housing 11g with a key top having a trapezoidal shape on the front surface and a concave shape on the back surface. According to the lower housing 11g, the operation surface of the key top 145 has a trapezoidal shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 19, and the back surface has a concave shape as shown in FIG. 21B. Have. For example, resin is sealed in a lower housing mold that is shaped like an inner trapezoid that becomes the key top 145, and the lower housing 11g having a convex shape is formed.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 145. Thereby, the input device 100 having the key top 145 can be a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11g and close to the key top 145, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In the above-described sealed structure, a method of protruding a part of the lower housing 11g into a trapezoidal shape is employed, but as shown in FIG. 21C, the lower housing 11g ′ and the trapezoidal key top 145 ′ are separately formed. Thus, a structure in which the key top 145 ′ is attached to the side surface of the lower housing 11g ′ may be adopted. For example, the key top 145 ′ is bonded to the side surface of the lower housing 11 g ′ with a UV curable resin or the like. Thereby, the input device 100 ′ having the key top 145 ′ can be sealed. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input devices 100 and 100 ′.

  As described above, according to the input device 100 according to the tenth embodiment, instead of the arc-convex key top 144 described in the ninth embodiment, the lower housing 11g and the key top 145 having a surface trapezoid shape. Are integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 100 is simplified as compared with the method of incorporating the key top 14, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 100 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Of course, as shown in FIG. 21C, a structure in which a trapezoidal key top 145 is attached to the flat side surface of the lower housing 11g may be adopted. This structure works advantageously when a sufficient space (separation distance) cannot be secured between the inner surface of the lower housing 11g and the circuit board 17 (not shown), and contributes to the compactness of the input devices 100 and 100 ′. However, it is big. By omitting the dome switch 25, the bellows-like processing can be omitted in the vicinity of the ascending start portion X and the descending end portion Y of the key tops 145 and 145 '.

  In this example, the case where the key tops 145 and the like are provided on the left side of the lower casing 11g as shown in FIG. 21 has been described. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11g. However, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

22A to 22C are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the input device 110 as the eleventh embodiment.
In this embodiment, instead of the trapezoidal key top 145 described in the tenth embodiment, a lower housing 11h and a key top 146 having a surface slug dome shape are integrally formed. The dome switch 25 and the pusher 191 are omitted.

  The input device 110 shown in FIG. 22A has a lower housing 11h with a key top having a front surface slug dome shape and a back surface concave shape. According to the lower housing 11h, the operation surface of the key top 146 has a slug dome shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 21, and the back surface thereof is a concave shape as shown in FIG. 22B. have. For example, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower housing that is shaped like an inner slug dome to be the key top 146, and the lower housing 11h having a convex shape is formed.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 146. Thereby, the input device 110 having the key top 146 can be a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11h and close to the key top 146, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In the above-described sealed structure, a method of protruding a part of the lower housing 11h into a trapezoidal shape is employed. However, as shown in FIG. 22C, the lower housing 11h ′ and the trapezoidal key top 146 ′ are separately formed. Thus, a structure in which the key top 146 ′ is attached to the side surface of the lower housing 11h ′ may be adopted. For example, the key top 146 ′ is bonded to the side surface of the lower housing 11 h ′ with a UV curable resin or the like. As a result, the input device 110 ′ having the key top 146 ′ can have a sealed structure. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input devices 110 and 110 '.

  As described above, according to the input device 110 according to the eleventh embodiment, instead of the trapezoidal key top 145 described in the tenth embodiment, the key top 146 having a lower housing 11h and a surface slug dome shape. Are integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 110 is simplified as compared with the method of incorporating the key top 14, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 110 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Of course, as shown in FIG. 22C, a structure in which the surface top of the slug dome is attached to the flat side surface of the lower housing 11h may be adopted. This structure works advantageously when a sufficient space (separation distance) cannot be secured between the inner surface of the lower housing 11h and the circuit board 17 (not shown), and contributes to the compactness of the input devices 110 and 110 ′. However, it is big. Since the dome switch 25 is omitted, the bellows-like process can be omitted in the vicinity of the ascending start portion X and the descending end portion Y of the key tops 146, 146 '.

  In this example, the case where the key top 146 and the like are provided on the left side of the lower housing 11h as shown in FIG. 22 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11h. However, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

23A to 23C are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the input device 120 as the twelfth embodiment.
In this embodiment, instead of the surface slug dome-shaped key top 146 described in the eleventh embodiment, a lower housing 11i and a key top 147 having a surface dome shape are integrally formed. . The dome switch 25 and the pusher 191 are omitted.

  The input device 120 shown in FIG. 23A has a lower housing 11i with a key top having a front surface dome shape and a back surface concave shape. According to the lower housing 11i, the operation surface of the key top 147 has a dome shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. In this example, the key top 147 is formed in a relationship of w = h, where w is the width and h is the height of the lower housing 11i. The back surface of the key top 147 has a concave shape as shown in FIG. 23B. For example, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower housing that has an inner dome shape that becomes a key top 147 with a width w, and a lower housing 11 i having a height h whose portion has a convex shape is formed.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 147. Thereby, the input device 120 having the key top 147 can be a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11i and close to the key top 147, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In the above-described sealed structure, a method in which a part of the lower housing 11i is protruded into a bowl dome shape is adopted. However, as shown in FIG. 23C, the lower housing 11i ′ and the bowl dome-shaped key top 147 ′ are separately provided. A structure may be adopted in which the key top 147 ′ is attached to the side surface of the lower housing 11i ′. For example, the key top 147 ′ is bonded to the side surface of the lower housing 11 i ′ with a UV curable resin or the like. Thereby, the input device 120 ′ having the key top 147 ′ can have a sealed structure. Refer to FIG. 8 for an operation example of the input devices 120 and 120 '.

  As described above, according to the input device 120 according to the twelfth embodiment, instead of the slug dome-shaped key top 146 described in the eleventh embodiment, a key top having a lower housing 11i and a surface dome shape. 147 and 147 are integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 120 is simplified as compared with the method of incorporating the key top 14, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 120 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Of course, as shown in FIG. 23C, a structure may be adopted in which a key top 147 'having a surface dome shape is attached to the flat side surface of the lower housing 11i. This structure works advantageously when a sufficient space (separation distance) cannot be secured between the inner surface of the lower housing 11i and the circuit board 17 (not shown), and contributes to the compactness of the input devices 120 and 120 ′. However, it is big. Since the dome switch 25 is omitted, the bellows-like process can be omitted in the vicinity of the ascending start portion X and the descending end portion Y of the key tops 147 and 147 '.

  In this example, the case where the key top 147 and the like are provided on the left side of the lower casing 11i as shown in FIG. 23 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11i. However, it goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

24A and 24B are perspective views showing a configuration example of a mobile phone 102 as a thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention.
A cellular phone 102 illustrated in FIG. 24A constitutes an example of an electronic device, and has a slide-type foldable (crum) housing structure. The mobile phone 102 includes an upper casing 11x and a lower casing 11y, and the upper casing 11x and the lower casing 11y are rotatably engaged by a hinge 48 (one axis). The input device 10 to the input device 120 described in the first to twelfth embodiments are applied to the lower housing 11y. Of course, the input devices 20 to 120 described in the second to twelfth embodiments may be applied to the mobile phone 101 described in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 24B, the cellular phone 102 has an operation surface lid closed storage structure in which the upper housing 11x covers the operation surface on the lower housing 11y. In this example, when the upper housing 11x is closed, a monitor 29a smaller in size than the display unit 29 is provided on the closed surface. For example, when using the camera function of the mobile phone 102, the monitor The subject image is displayed using 29a as a viewfinder window.

  In the same manner as the mobile phone 101 described in the first embodiment, the upper casing 11x is provided with a display unit 29 having a predetermined size, and displays a standby screen, the other party's telephone number, and the like. A liquid crystal display monitor is used for the display unit 29. The lower housing 11y is provided with, for example, an input device 40, and is operated to input information by a sliding operation with an operator's finger 30a.

  The input device 40 has operation surfaces on the upper and side portions, and an operation panel on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” keys, “#” keys, and the like are arranged on the upper operation surface. 18. A sensor 13 for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is provided in the lower housing 11y. A key top 14 is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor 13, and is slid along the operation surface of the lower housing 11y. The key top 14 includes a convex shape that rises from the one operation surface of the lower housing 11y along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface (see FIG. 15).

  FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing an example of handling of the mobile phone 102 during photographing. In the mobile phone 102 shown in FIG. 25, a camera 34 is disposed on the bottom surface of the lower housing 11y. In this example, when the cellular phone 102 is placed in the closed state with the operation surface lid closed and the subject is photographed using the camera function, the operator holds with the left hand 39c so that the operation surface of the key top 14 faces upward. . Then, the key top 14 can be used to perform a zoom-in sliding operation with the right hand of the operator and the index finger 39b or to release the shutter. The key top 14 is not limited to the shutter function, and can be used as various adjustment keys for image enlargement / reduction processing or focus adjustment.

  Thus, according to the mobile phone 102 according to the thirteenth embodiment, any one of the first to twelfth input devices 10 to 120 according to the present invention is provided, so that the operator operating the mobile phone 102 For the sliding operation with the finger 39b, in addition to the sliding operation feeling rising along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11y, the sliding operation feeling rising toward the other operation surface is given. Can do. Moreover, a tactile sensation can be presented by the speaker 36b with an actuator function during the shutter operation.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like that has a structure different from that of the conventional rotating side jog tool and can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to the side jog tool. In addition, since the mobile phone 102 can be reduced in size and improved in operability, it is possible to reduce malfunction of the mobile phone 102, reduce costs, and simplify the manufacturing process.

  When the music player function of the mobile phone 102 is used, the monitor 29a is used as a music selection window to scroll and display titles, musician names, and other video images. Sound volume can be adjusted.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11y as shown in FIG. 24 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 14 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11y. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

26A and 26B are perspective views showing a configuration example of a mobile phone 103 as a fourteenth embodiment according to the present invention.
A cellular phone 103 illustrated in FIG. 26A is an example of an electronic device, and has a biaxial hinge-type folding housing structure. The cellular phone 103 includes an upper casing 11x ′ and a lower casing 11y ′, and the upper casing 11x ′ and the lower casing 11y ′ are rotatable by two hinges 48a and 48b (two axes). Is engaged. The hinge 48a engages the upper casing 11x and the lower casing 11y so as to be freely opened and closed in the same manner as in the thirteenth embodiment. The hinge 48b is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the hinge 48a, and engages the upper casing 11x with the lower casing 11y so as to be rotatable. The input device 10 to the input device 120 described in the first to twelfth embodiments are applied to the lower housing 11y ′.

  The upper casing 11x 'is provided with a display unit 29 having a predetermined size in the same manner as the mobile phone 101 described in the first embodiment, and displays a standby screen, a partner telephone number, and the like. A liquid crystal display monitor is used for the display unit 29. The mobile phone 103 includes a first operation surface lid closed storage structure (see FIG. 24B) in which the upper housing 11x ′ with the monitor 29a facing upward covers the operation surface on the lower housing 11y ′, and FIG. As shown, a second operation surface lid closed storage structure is adopted in which the upper housing 11x ′ with the display unit 29 facing upward covers the operation surface on the lower housing 11y ′.

  In this example, in a state where the upper housing 11x ′ with the display unit 29 facing upward is closed, the display unit 29 faces the closed surface. For example, when the 1-segment television function of the mobile phone 103 is used, the display unit 29 is displayed as a television image receiving screen. The lower housing 11y 'is provided with, for example, an input device 40, and is operated to input information by a sliding operation with an operator's finger 30a.

  The input device 40 has operation surfaces on the upper and side portions, and an operation panel on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” keys, “#” keys, and the like are arranged on the upper operation surface. 18. A sensor 13 for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is provided in the lower housing 11y '. A key top 14 is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor 13, and is slid along the operation surface of the lower housing 11y '. The key top 14 includes a convex shape that rises from the one operation surface of the lower housing 11y 'along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface (see FIG. 15).

  FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing an example of handling of the mobile phone 103 when watching TV. In the cellular phone 103 shown in FIG. 27, when the cellular phone 103 is placed in the second operation surface lid closed and stored state, and the television receiving function is used to receive a broadcast program, the operation surface of the key top 14 is directed upward. Place it on a desk (not shown) or the like so that it faces. The key top 14 can be used to perform a channel tuning slide operation with the operator's right hand, forefinger, or the like, or to confirm the channel tuning decision. The key top 14 can be used as a volume adjustment key in addition to the channel selection key. Of course, when making a call to the other party or receiving a call from the other party, it may also be used as a character input operation or input candidate selection decision key when creating a mail.

  As described above, according to the mobile phone 103 according to the fourteenth embodiment, since any one of the first to twelfth input devices 10 to 120 according to the present invention is provided, the operator who operates the mobile phone 103 is provided. In addition to the sliding operation sensation rising along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11y ′, the sliding operation sensation rising toward the other operation surface is given to the sliding operation by the finger 39b. be able to. In addition, at the time of channel selection determination operation, a tactile sense can be presented by the speaker 36b with an actuator function.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like that has a structure different from that of the conventional rotating side jog tool and can obtain an operation feeling almost similar to the side jog tool. In addition, since the mobile phone 103 can be reduced in size and improved in operability, it is possible to reduce malfunction of the mobile phone 103, reduce costs, and simplify the manufacturing process.

  In this example, the case where the key top 14 is provided on the left side of the lower casing 11y ′ as shown in FIG. 26 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11y ′. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 150 as the fifteenth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the key tops 14 and 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11j and the spherical side A key top 148 having a one-character convex shape is integrally formed.

  The input device 150 shown in FIG. 28 includes a lower housing 11j with a key top having a spherical horizontal single-letter convex shape. The upper portion of the lower housing 11j is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like are arranged. Yes. According to the lower housing 11j, the operation surface of the key top 148 protrudes into a convex shape of a spherical horizontal single character unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. The key top 148 has a predetermined height and width. As for the inner structure of the key top 148 of the lower housing 11j, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 18, 19 or 20B is adopted (see FIG. 18, 19 or 20B).

  The lower casing 11j is shaped like, for example, a convex shape of a spherical horizontal character that becomes the key top 148, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18, the “*” key, the “#” key, and the like. Resin is sealed in a mold for the lower housing, and the portion is formed to have a convex shape. As a result, the input device 150 having the key top 148 can have a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11j and close to the key top 148, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the key top 148 is operated to slide along the convex shape of a spherical horizontal single letter. Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation along the convex shape of the spherical horizontal single character from one operation surface of the lower housing 11j, the arc toward the other operation surface in response to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a. A feeling of sliding operation that rises to a convex shape can be given.

  Thus, according to the input device 150 of the fifteenth embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11j and the key top 148 having a spherical horizontal single-letter convex shape are integrally formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the input device 150 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, the key top 148 having a spherical horizontal single-character arc-convex shape and a numeric keypad of numbers “0” to “9”, an operation panel including “*” key, “#” key, etc. are input compared to a method of assembling separately. The assembly of the device 150 is simplified.

  In this example, the case where the key top 148 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11j as shown in FIG. 28 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the back surface side of the lower housing 11j. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 160 as the sixteenth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the key tops 14 and 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11j and the spherical vertical A key top 149 having a single-character convex shape is integrally formed.

  The input device 160 shown in FIG. 29 has a lower housing 11k with a key top having a spherical vertical single letter convex shape. The upper part of the lower housing 11k is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key and the like are arranged. Yes. According to the lower housing 11k, the operation surface of the key top 149 protrudes into a spherical vertical single-character convex shape, unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. The key top 149 has a predetermined height and width. For the inner structure of the key top 149 of the lower housing 11k, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 18, 19 or 20B is adopted (see FIG. 18, FIG. 19 or FIG. 20B).

  The lower casing 11k is shaped like, for example, a spherical vertical single-letter convex shape serving as the key top 149, numeric keys “0” to “9” serving as the operation panel 18, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. Resin is sealed in a mold for the lower housing, and the portion is formed to have a convex shape. Thereby, the input device 160 having the key top 149 can be a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11k and close to the key top 149, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the key top 149 is slid along the convex shape of a single spherical vertical character. Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises along the convex shape of one spherical surface from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11k with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, an arc toward the other operation surface A feeling of sliding operation that rises to a convex shape can be given.

  As described above, according to the input device 160 of the sixteenth embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11k and the key top 149 having a spherical vertical single-letter convex shape are integrally formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the input device 160 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, the input device is compared to a method of separately assembling a spherical top key 149 having a convex shape and a numeric keypad of numbers “0” to “9”, an operation panel including “*” key, “#” key, and the like. The assembly of 160 becomes easy.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 29, the case where the key top 149 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11k has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the case where the key top 149 is provided on the rear surface side of the lower housing 11k. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 170 as the seventeenth embodiment. In this embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11m and the spherical cross are used instead of the key tops 14 and 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments. A key top 151 having a convex shape is integrally formed.

  An input device 170 shown in FIG. 30 includes a lower housing 11m with a key top having a spherical cross-convex shape. The upper portion of the lower casing 11m is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” keys, “#” keys, and the like are arranged. Yes. According to the lower housing 11m, the operation surface of the key top 151 is raised in a spherical cross-convex shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. As for the inner structure of the key top 151 of the lower housing 11m, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 18, 19 or 20B is adopted (see FIG. 18, FIG. 19 or FIG. 20B).

  The lower casing 11m is shaped like, for example, a spherical cross-convex shape to be the key top 151, numeric keys “0” to “9” to be the operation panel 18, “*” key, “#” key, or the like. A resin is enclosed in a lower housing mold so that the portion has a convex shape. Thereby, the input device 170 having the key top 151 can be a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11m and close to the key top 151, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the spherical cross convex shape of the key top 151 has a shape obtained by intersecting the spherical horizontal single letter convex shape shown in FIG. 28 with the spherical vertical single letter convex shape shown in FIG. The key top 151 is slid along the convex shape of a single horizontal horizontal character and / or is slid along a convex shape of a single spherical vertical character that intersects the key top 151. As a result, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises from one operating surface of the lower housing 11m along the convex shape of the spherical horizontal character with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, an arc toward the other operating surface In addition to giving a sliding operation sensation rising to a convex shape and a sliding operation sensation rising from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11m along the convex shape of a spherical vertical single character, an arc toward the other operation surface A feeling of sliding operation that rises to a convex shape can be given.

  As described above, according to the input device 170 of the seventeenth embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11m and the key top 151 having a spherical cross-convex shape are integrally formed. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the input device 170 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, the input device 170 is compared with a method of separately assembling the spherical cross-convex key top 151 and the operation panels including the numeric keys “0” to “9”, the “*” key, the “#” key, and the like. Assembling becomes easy. Further, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, an operation feeling almost similar to that of the cross key can be obtained, and the spherical cross convex key top 151 can be applied as an information selection key for selecting information. It becomes like this.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 30, the case where the key top 151 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11m has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 151 is provided on the rear surface side of the lower housing 11m. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an input device 180 as an eighteenth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the key tops 14 and 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments, an operation panel 18 and a three-dimensional cross convex shape were provided. The key top 152 is integrally formed. The key top 152 is slid along the three-dimensional cross shape, and is pressed down with the key part 86a at the center and the key parts 86b to 86e at the cross-shaped portions.

  In this example, the key top 152 is configured to have five key parts 86a to 86e. The key part 86a has a cylindrical shape and is disposed at the center of the key top 152, and is used as, for example, an application determination key. The key parts 86b to 86e have a predetermined three-dimensional shape and are arranged with an arrangement angle of 90 ° in the cross direction (vertical (Y) direction and horizontal (X) direction) around the key part 86a. Yes.

  The key parts 86b are used as, for example, a scroll & determination key when scrolling an image in the lower direction of a display screen (not shown). Similarly, the key part 86c is used as a scroll & determination key when scrolling the image in the upward direction on the display screen. Similarly, the key part 86d is used as a scroll & determination key when scrolling the image in the left direction of the display screen. Similarly, the key part 86e is used as a scroll & determination key when scrolling the image in the right direction of the display screen.

  Similarly to the third embodiment, the key top 152 is movably engaged with respect to the pressing direction with reference to the opening 82g of the operation panel 18, and is slid from one of the operation surfaces of the operation panel 18. And a convex shape that rises toward the other side operation surface has a cross shape, and is slid in a cross shape along the operation surface of the operation panel 18.

  An input device 180 shown in FIG. 31 includes a lower housing 11n with a frame and an operation panel 18 with a key top having a three-dimensional cruciform shape, and inputs information by a sliding operation with an operator's finger or the like. To do. The lower housing 11n has a frame 83, and an operation panel 18 is attached to a portion defined by the frame 83.

  The operation panel 18 has an operation surface on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like are arranged. According to the lower housing 11n, the key top 152 is provided on the operation surface, and is raised in a three-dimensional cross-convex shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. Unlike the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19 or FIG. 20B, the sensor sheet structure on the lower side of the key top 152 employs an electrode structure that also serves as a pattern (see FIGS. 32 to 35). .

  The operation panel 18 is shaped like, for example, a three-dimensional cross-shaped convex shape that becomes the key top 152, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18, the “*” key, the “#” key, and the like. A resin is sealed in a mold for forming an operation panel, and the portion is formed to have a convex shape. Thereby, the input device 180 having the key top 152 composed of the five key parts 86a to 86e can be made to have a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11n and close to the key top 152, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  FIG. 32 is a plan view showing a configuration example of the FPC board 81 on which the electrostatic sensor sheet is mounted. In this example, the input device 180 uses a flexible electrostatic sensor sheet mounting board (hereinafter simply referred to as an FPC board 81) as shown in FIG. The FPC board 81 is provided with three through holes 88a to 88c, and five sensor sheets 81a to 81e as examples of sheet-like detection electrodes. Capacitance sheets are used for the respective sensor sheets 81a to 81e, and operate so as to detect the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a or the like (see FIG. 34) and output the position detection signal # S1.

  In this example, the detection electrodes of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e have a semicircular half angle shape with a semicircle at one end and a rectangle at the other end, and a part thereof, in this example, a semicircular portion is raised in a dome shape. is doing. The sensor sheet 81a is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 01 (center) on the surface of the FPC board 81. The sensor sheet 81b is pulled out on the surface of the FPC board 81 by the wiring pattern # 04 (bottom). The sensor sheet 81c is pulled out from the back surface of the FPC board 81 by the wiring pattern # 02 (upper) through the through hole 88a. The sensor sheet 81d is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 05 (left) on the surface of the FPC board 81. The sensor sheet 81e is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 03 (right) on the surface of the FPC board 81.

  The detection electrode portion of the sensor sheet 81a raised in the above-described dome shape constitutes a movable contact electrode of the dome switch 85a (hereinafter referred to as a metal dome portion 511). Similarly, the other sensor sheet 81b is a metal dome portion 511 that constitutes the movable contact electrode of the dome switch 85b, and the sensor sheet 81c is a metal dome that constitutes the movable contact electrode of the dome switch 85c. 511, and the portion of the sensor sheet 81d is a metal dome portion 511 that constitutes the movable contact electrode of the dome switch 85d, and the portion of the sensor sheet 81e is the metal dome that constitutes the movable contact electrode of the dome switch 85e. Part 511.

  In this example, when detecting the tracing in the Y direction, the calculation system such as the control unit 15 detects the output levels of the sensor sheets 81b, 81a, 81c transmitted via the wiring patterns # 02, # 01, # 04. Then, the center of gravity is calculated. When detecting the trace in the X direction, the control unit 15 or the like detects the output level of the sensor sheets 81d, 81a, and 81e transmitted through the wiring patterns # 05, # 01, and # 03, and executes the gravity center calculation. To do.

  In this example, when the tracing in the XY direction is detected, the control unit 15 and the like simultaneously execute the two operations described above. In addition, when detecting the tracing in the rotation direction, the control unit 15 or the like detects the output level of the sensor sheets 81b and 81c transmitted via the wiring patterns # 02, # 03, # 04, and # 05, and the center of gravity. Perform the operation. When detecting the tracing in the X direction, the control unit 15 or the like detects the output levels of the sensor sheets 81b to 81e transmitted via the wiring patterns # 05, # 01, and # 03, and executes the gravity center calculation. Thereafter, the value obtained by the centroid calculation is converted into a phase.

  One surface (front surface) of the FPC board 81 is provided with sheet-like sensor sheets 81a to 81e including a dome-like raised portion, and a dome switch is provided inside the dome-like raised portion of the sensor sheet 81a. A fixed-side contact electrode 512 constituting 85a is provided. On the other surface (back surface) of the FPC board 81, a wiring pattern # 00 (GND) is provided through the through hole 88c from the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85a.

  Similarly, a fixed-side contact electrode 512 constituting the dome switch 85b is provided on the inner side of the bulged portion of the sensor sheet 81b, and is connected to the fixed-side contact electrode 512 of the dome switch 85a. The wiring pattern # 00 (GND) is connected through the through hole 88c. A contact electrode 512 on the fixed side constituting the dome switch 85c is provided on the inner side of the bulged portion of the sensor sheet 81c, and is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85a. To the wiring pattern # 00 (GND).

  A fixed-side contact electrode 512 constituting the dome switch 85d is provided inside the portion of the sensor sheet 81d that is raised in a dome shape, and is connected to the fixed-side contact electrode 512 of the dome switch 85a. To the wiring pattern # 00 (GND). A contact electrode 512 on the fixed side constituting the dome switch 85e is provided on the inner side of the bulged portion of the sensor sheet 81e and is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85a. To the wiring pattern # 00 (GND).

  When “enter” is input by operating the top, bottom, left, right, and center dome switches 85a to 85e, the metal dome portion 511 of the dome switches 85a to 85e is deformed so that the wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and the wiring pattern # 02 ( Is connected, wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 04 (bottom) are connected, wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 05 (left) are connected, and wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 03 (right) are connected, or wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 01 (center) are connected. The wiring patterns # 01 to # 05 are connected to the control unit 15, and the trace detection signals S01 to S05 of the sensor sheets 81a to 81b are output to the control unit 15.

  In this example, five LED elements 87 a to 87 e are arranged on the surface side of the FPC board 81. The LED element 87 a is provided on the right side of the dome switch 85 a on the front surface side of the FPC board 81. Similarly, the LED element 87b is provided on the lower side of the dome switch 85b, the LED element 87c is provided on the upper side of the dome switch 85c, the LED element 87d is provided on the left side of the dome switch 85d, and the LED element 87e is provided on the dome switch. It is provided on the right side of 85e.

  In this example, a negative electrode for attaching the LED element 87 a is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85 a on the surface of the FPC board 81. Similarly, a negative electrode for attaching the LED element 87b is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85b. A negative electrode for attaching the LED element 87c is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85c. A negative electrode for attaching the LED element 87d is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85d. A negative electrode for attaching the LED element 87e is connected to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the dome switch 85e.

  The four + -side electrodes of the LED elements 87a, 87c to 87e are connected to the wiring pattern # 06 (LED +) on the surface of the FPC board 81 and drawn out. One electrode on the + side of the LED element 87b is connected to the wiring pattern # 06 (LED +) from the back surface of the FPC board 81 through the through hole 88b. The LED elements 87a and 87c to 87e are turned on by applying a predetermined voltage between the wiring pattern # 06 and the wiring pattern # 00.

  With such an electrode structure, it is possible to provide the FPC board 81 in which the sensor sheets 81a to 81e for tracing detection and the contact electrodes on the movable side of the dome switches 85a to 85e are integrated. For an example of the detection sensitivity of the input device 180, refer to “Input Device and Electronic Device” in Japanese Patent Application (2007-246071).

  FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing an assembly example of the input device 180. In this embodiment, the electrode patterns for tracing in the sensor sheets 81a to 81e for realizing the tracing function and the metal dome part 511 in the dome switch 85a for realizing the ON / OFF function can be formed of metal. In particular, an electrode structure in which the metal dome portion 511 such as the dome switch 85a is used as the sensor sheets 81a to 81e for tracing detection is employed.

  First, an operation panel 18 shown in FIG. 33 is prepared under these manufacturing and assembling conditions. The operation panel 18 is shaped like, for example, a three-dimensional cross-shaped convex shape that becomes the key top 152, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18, the “*” key, the “#” key, and the like. Resin is sealed in a mold for forming an operation panel so that the key top 152 has a convex shape.

  The mold for forming the operation panel is designed so that the key top 152 has five key parts 86a to 86e. The key part 86a has a cylindrical shape and is disposed at the center of the key top 152, and is used as, for example, an application determination key. The key parts 86b to 86e have a predetermined three-dimensional shape and are designed to have an arrangement angle of 90 ° in the XY direction with the key part 86a as the center. In the key top 152, a key part 86a and a pusher 82a which are integrally formed from the same resin material or the like from the beginning may be used. The same applies to the other key parts 86b to 86e.

  When such an operation panel 18 is prepared, the rubber sheet portion 82f is prepared. The rubber sheet portion 82f forms a dielectric of an electrostatic sensor sheet. Silicon rubber is used for the rubber sheet portion 82f. In this example, the rubber sheet portion 82f is a portion located at the center of the key top 152, that is, the non-operation surface side of the key part 86a and the four key parts 86b to 86e around the key part 86a. To place. Convex pushers 82a to 82e are formed on each non-operating surface side rubber sheet portion 82f arranged here.

  In this example, a pusher 82a is attached corresponding to the key part 86a. Similarly, the pusher 82b is attached corresponding to the key part 86b, the pusher 82c is attached corresponding to the key part 86c, the pusher 82d is attached corresponding to the key part 86d, and the pusher 82c is attached corresponding to the key part 86e. The pusher 82e is attached.

  When the rubber sheet portion 82f is prepared, the FPC board 81 is prepared. On the FPC board 81, five dome switches 85a, 85b, 85c, 85d, and 85e for pressing operation, and metal dome portions 511 of these dome switches 85a to 85e are electrodes for detecting the tracing of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e. Use one that can also be used as a pattern. In addition to the sensor sheets 81a to 81e, a driver IC device 45 and five LED elements 87a, 87b, 87c, 87d, 87e as shown in FIG. 32 are mounted on the FPC board 81.

  When the operation panel 18, the rubber sheet portion 82f, and the FPC board 81 are prepared, the FPC board 81 is first attached to the lower housing 11n shown in FIG. A metal or resin-made one is prepared for the lower housing 11n. Thereafter, the rubber sheet portion 82f and the operation panel 18 are aligned on the FPC board 81, and the rubber sheet portion 82f and the operation panel 18 are stacked in this order.

  At this time, the five pushers 82a to 82e attached to the rubber sheet portion 82f, the five key parts 86a to 86e of the key top 152, and the five dome switches 85a to 85e are aligned and mounted. For example, the pusher 82a of the rubber sheet portion 82f and the dome switch 85a are aligned, the pusher 82b and the dome switch 85b are aligned, the pusher 82c and the dome switch 85c are aligned, and the push The child 82d and the dome switch 85d are aligned, and the pusher 82e and the dome switch 85e are aligned.

  In this manner, the rubber sheet portion 82f in the above-described alignment state is provided between the operation panel 18 provided with the five key parts 86a to 86e and the FPC board 81 provided with the five dome switches 85a to 85e. Can be sandwiched with good reproducibility. By fixing the operation panel 18 in this state to the frame 83 of the lower housing 11n, the input device 180 as shown in FIG. 31 is completed.

  FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 180. The input device 180 shown in FIG. 34 has an FPC board 81. The FPC board 81 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a and outputs a position detection signal # S1 to output the sheet-like sensor sheets 81a to 81e. have. On the FPC board 81, a key top 152 is combined with a rubber sheet portion 82f interposed.

  The key top 152 has five key parts 86a to 86e and has a three-dimensional cross-convex shape having a predetermined height and width. The rubber sheet portion 82f is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e. The key top 152 is slid and / or pressed along the three-dimensional cruciform shape. The electrode patterns for detecting the traces of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e also have the metal dome portions 511 of the dome switches 85a to 85e.

  In this example, the key part 86a is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85a during an input operation. Similarly, the key part 86b is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85b. The key part 86c is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85c. A key part 86d not shown in FIG. 34 is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85d. Similarly, a key part 86e (not shown) is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85e.

  In this example, the detection area for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a by the sensor sheets 81a to 81e is set wider than the operation area for sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a by the key top 152. Yes. In this way, with respect to the sliding operation with the operator's finger 30a, the left and right operation surfaces of the operation panel 18 sandwiching the convex key top 152 and the upper and lower operation surfaces can be included in the sliding operation range. it can. This shape of the key top 152 makes it possible to smoothly set the search pitch of the scroll key when searching for various types of information and the zoom adjustment pitch when adjusting the zoom amount of the optical lens when the camera is activated.

  Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises from one operating surface of the lower housing 11n along one circular arc shape with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, the other operating surface In addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises along the other arc shape from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11n. A sliding operation sensation that rises in the same arc shape toward the surface can be provided. In the figure, ta is a distance between parts formed between the rubber sheet portion 82f and the sensor sheet 81d, and the distance ta between parts is about 0.27 mm. By adopting such an electrode structure, the input device 180 can be thinned.

  Next, an operation example of the dome switch 85a and the like in the input device 180 will be described. 35A and 35B are cross-sectional views showing an example of the operation of the dome switch 85a and the like. The dome switch 85a shown in FIG. 35A is in an off state. This state is when the metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode is separated by the dome switch 85a or the like from the fixed contact electrode 512 of the FPC board 81, and the two contacts are electrically insulated. This is a case where the state is held.

  The dome switch 85a shown in FIG. 35B is on. This state is generated as a result of the key part 86a being pressed and the dome switch 85a being turned on. According to this ON state, the metal dome part 511 such as the dome switch 85a is bent with respect to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the FPC board 81, and the contact electrode on the movable side contacts the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side. This is a case where the electrical connection between the two contacts is maintained.

  Similarly, the key part 86b is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85b. The key part 86c is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85c. The key part 86d is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85d. The key part 86e is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85e. By adopting the electrode structure as described above, the size of the input device 180 can be reduced, the cost of electronic equipment such as a mobile phone can be reduced, and the FPC board bending process can be reduced, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. Can be realized.

  Thus, according to the input device 180 according to the eighteenth embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11n and the key top 152 having a three-dimensional cruciform shape are integrally formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the input device 180 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, the input device 180 is compared to a method of separately assembling a three-dimensional cross-convex key top 152 and an operation panel comprising numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. Assembling becomes easy. Further, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, and an operation feeling almost similar to that of the cross key is obtained, and the three-dimensional cross-shaped key top 152 can be applied as an information selection key for selecting information. It becomes like this.

  The key tops 141 to 143 and 148 to 152 described above can be used as functions of the key top 14 of the first embodiment, and the key tops 144 to 147 are the first implementation excluding the dome switch function. It can be used as a function of the key top 14 in the example.

  In this example, the case where the key top 152 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11n as shown in FIG. 31 has been described. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 152 is provided on the rear surface side of the lower housing 11n. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  Subsequently, an input device 180 'as a modification will be described. 36A and 36B are plan views showing configuration examples of the front and back of an FPC board 801 as a modification. In this modification, attention is paid to the fact that six through holes 88d to 88i are provided in the FPC board 801, and a different electrode pattern can be formed on the front and back of the FPC board 801. Sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ are arranged, and dome switches 85a to 85e are arranged on the back surface thereof. And the case where the metal dome part 511 of each dome switch 85a-85e is attached in the reverse direction with respect to an operation surface is assumed.

  Also in this example, a flexible electrostatic sensor sheet mounting board (hereinafter simply referred to as an FPC board 801) as shown in FIGS. 36A and 36B is used for the input device 180 '. On the surface side of the sheet-like FPC board 801 shown in FIG. 36A, sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' for tracing detection are arranged, and the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' constitute an electrostatic sensor sheet. Sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ provided on the surface of the FPC board 801 detect the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a and the like (see FIG. 40) with respect to the key top 152, and output a position detection signal # S1. To work.

  In this example, the detection electrodes of the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' have a square shape with one side having the same length. In this example, the detection electrode is not raised unlike the eighteenth embodiment. The sensor sheet 81a 'is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 01 (center) on the surface of the FPC board 801. The sensor sheet 81b 'is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 04 (bottom) on the surface of the FPC board 801. The sensor sheet 81c ′ is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 02 (upper) on the surface of the FPC board 801.

  The sensor sheet 81d 'is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 05 (left) on the surface of the FPC board 801. The sensor sheet 81e 'is pulled out by the wiring pattern # 03 (right) on the surface of the FPC board 801. The wiring patterns # 01 to # 05 are connected to the control unit 15, and the trace detection signals S01 to S05 of the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' are output to the control unit 15. The position detection signal # S1 is, for example, a logical sum output value of the trace detection signals S01 to S05.

  In this example, when detecting the Y-direction tracing, the calculation system such as the control unit 15 outputs the sensor sheets 81b ′, 81a ′, and 81c ′ transmitted via the wiring patterns # 02, # 01, and # 04. The center of gravity is calculated by detecting the level. When detecting the tracing in the X direction, the control unit 15 or the like detects the output level of the sensor sheets 81d ′, 81a ′, 81e ′ transmitted via the wiring patterns # 05, # 01, # 03, and the center of gravity. The calculation is executed (see FIG. 42).

  In this example, when detecting tracing in the XY direction, the control unit 15 executes the above-described two operations simultaneously. Further, when detecting the trace in the rotation direction, the control unit 15 detects the output levels of the sensor sheets 81b ′ and 81c ′ transmitted via the wiring patterns # 02, # 03, # 04, and # 05. Performs centroid calculation. When detecting the trace in the X direction, the control unit 15 detects the output level of the sensor sheets 81b ′ to 81e ′ transmitted via the wiring patterns # 05, # 01, and # 03, and executes the gravity center calculation. Thereafter, the value obtained by the centroid calculation is converted into a phase.

  Five dome switches 85a to 85e are arranged on the back side of the FPC board 801 shown in FIG. 36B. Each of the dome switches 85a to 85e has a metal dome portion 511 having a diameter dφ, for example, dφ = 2.8 mm. The metal dome portion 511 constitutes a movable contact electrode of each of the dome switches 85a to 85e, and the lower surface of the dome-shaped portion has a C shape.

  On the back surface of the FPC board 801, a fixed-side contact electrode 512 constituting the dome switch 85a is provided inside a metal dome portion 511 protruding in a dome shape of the dome switch 85a. Similarly, the other dome switches 85b to 85e are provided with the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side. The contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of each of the dome switches 85a to 85e is wired through the open end of the C-shaped part below the metal dome part 511 on the back side of the FPC board 801. The fixed contact electrodes 512 are connected to each other, and are connected to the wiring pattern # 06 (LED +) drawn to the surface side through the through hole 88g.

  The metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85a is connected to the wiring pattern # 01 (center) drawn from the back side of the FPC board 801 to the front side through the through hole 88e. The metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85b is connected to the wiring pattern # 04 (lower) drawn from the back surface side of the FPC board 801 to the front surface side through the through hole 88h. The metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85c is connected to the wiring pattern # 02 (upper) drawn from the rear surface side of the FPC board 801 to the front surface side through the through hole 88d.

  The metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85d is connected to the wiring pattern # 05 (left) drawn from the back surface side of the FPC board 801 to the front surface side through the through hole 88i. The metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85e is connected to the wiring pattern # 03 (right) drawn from the back side of the FPC board 801 to the front side through the through hole 88i.

  When “enter” is input by operating the top, bottom, left, right, and center dome switches 85a to 85e, the metal dome portion 511 of the dome switches 85a to 85e is deformed so that the wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and the wiring pattern # 02 ( Is connected, wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 04 (bottom) are connected, wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 05 (left) are connected, and wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 03 (right) are connected, or wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 01 (center) are connected.

  In this example, two LED elements 87a and 87b are arranged on the surface side of the FPC board 801. The LED elements 87a and 87b are provided on the upper surface side of the dome switch 85c on the surface side of the FPC board 801. The negative electrodes of the LED elements 87a and 87b are connected to the wiring pattern # 00 (GND), and the positive electrodes are connected to the wiring pattern # 06 (LED +). The LED elements 87a and 87b are turned on by applying a predetermined voltage between the wiring pattern # 06 and the wiring pattern # 00.

  With such an electrode structure, it is possible to provide the FPC board 801 in which the sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ for tracing detection and the contact electrodes on the movable side of the dome switches 85a to 85e are separated on the front side and the back side. become. For an example of the detection sensitivity of the input device 180 ′, refer to “Input Device and Electronic Device” in Japanese Patent Application (2007-246071). The trace detection patterns of the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' may be those shown in FIGS.

  37A to 37E are plan views showing examples of the configuration of other patterns for tracing detection applicable to the input devices 180 and 180 '. The trace detection pattern SP1 shown in FIG. 37A is composed of four sensor sheets, each having a square shape. The four sensor sheets are arranged one by one in the first quadrant to the fourth quadrant of the coordinate system below the key top 152.

  The trace detection pattern SP2 shown in FIG. 37B is composed of nine sensor sheets, each having a square shape. The nine sensor sheets are arranged in a matrix pattern in the lower part of the key top 152. The trace detection pattern SP3 shown in FIG. 37C is composed of eight sensor sheets, one of which has a fan shape. The eight sensor sheets are arranged in a circular shape below the key top 152.

  The trace detection pattern SP4 shown in FIG. 37D is composed of eight sensor sheets each having a rectangular shape and one sensor sheet having a circular shape. The eight sensor sheets are arranged radially in a circle around the circumference of the sensor sheet having a circular shape below the key top 152.

  The trace detection pattern SP5 shown in FIG. 37E is composed of six sensor sheets, one of which has a comb shape. The comb-shaped portions of the two sensor sheets are engaged with each other to form three sets of engagement patterns, and these three sets of engagement patterns are arranged side by side. These also make it possible to detect the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a and the like. Of course, these trace detection patterns SP1 to SP5 may be applied to the contact electrode pattern of the dome switch 85.

  FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing an assembly example of an input device 180 ′ as a modification. In this modification, focusing on the fact that different electrode patterns can be formed on the front and back of the FPC board 801, sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' are arranged on the front side of the FPC board 801, and the dome is provided on the back side thereof. Switches 85a to 85e are arranged. And the case where the metal dome part 511 of each dome switch 85a-85e is attached in the reverse direction with respect to an operation surface is assumed.

  First, an operation panel 18 shown in FIG. 38 is prepared under these manufacturing and assembling conditions. Since the operation panel 18 including the key top 152 has been described in the eighteenth embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

  When such an operation panel 18 is prepared, a rubber sheet portion 82f 'is prepared. The rubber sheet portion 82f 'forms a dielectric of the electrostatic sensor sheet. Silicon rubber is used for the rubber sheet portion 82f '. In this example, since the pusher is provided below the dome switch 85a and the like, an attaching process of the pusher 82a corresponding to the key parts 86a and the like, and an integral molding process are omitted.

  When the rubber sheet portion 82f 'is prepared, the FPC board 801 is prepared. In this example, on the surface side of the FPC board 801, electrode patterns for tracing are formed and five sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' are arranged. In addition to the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e', a driver IC device 45 and two LED elements 87a and 87b as shown in FIG. 36A are mounted on the surface side of the FPC board 801.

  On the back surface side of the FPC board 801, a metal dome portion 511 and a stationary contact electrode 512 constituting a movable contact electrode are formed, and five dome switches 85a to 85e are arranged. A protrusion corresponding to a pusher is provided below each dome switch 85a to 85e. For example, a protrusion 82a ′ is formed below the metal dome 511 of the dome switch 85a, a protrusion 82b ′ is formed below the metal dome 511 of the dome switch 85b, and below the metal dome 511 of the dome switch 85c. A projection 82c ′ is formed on the dome switch 85d, a projection 82d ′ is formed below the metal dome 511 of the dome switch 85d, and a projection 82e ′ is formed below the metal dome 511 of the dome switch 85e.

  When the operation panel 18, the rubber sheet portion 82f ', and the FPC board 801 are prepared, the FPC board 801 is first attached to the lower casing 11n as shown in FIG. A metal or resin-made one is prepared for the lower housing 11n. In this example, the projecting portions 82a 'to 82e' are brought into contact with the lower housing 11n, and further, a strong flat surface portion 89 is provided so that each metal dome portion 511 of the dome switches 85a to 85e is bent. . Then, the rubber sheet portion 82 f ′ and the operation panel 18 are aligned on the FPC board 801, and the rubber sheet portion 82 f ′ and the operation panel 18 are stacked in this order.

  In this manner, the rubber sheet portion 82f in the above-described alignment state is provided between the operation panel 18 provided with the five key parts 86a to 86e and the FPC board 801 provided with the five dome switches 85a to 85e. 'Can be inserted with good reproducibility. By fixing the operation panel 18 in this state to the frame 83 of the lower housing 11n, the input device 180 'is completed (see FIG. 31).

  FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 180 ′ showing an example of the relationship between the widths of the individual key parts 86 a to 86 c of the key top 152 and the widths of the dome switches 85 a to 85 c and the like. 39 has an FPC board 801, sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ as shown in FIG. 38 are arranged on the front side, and dome switches 85a to 85e on the back side. Is arranged. A key top 152 is combined on the FPC board 801 with a rubber sheet portion 82f 'interposed therebetween.

  The key top 152 has five key parts 86a to 86e and has a three-dimensional cross-convex shape having a predetermined height and width. The rubber sheet portion 82f 'is provided so as to cover the entire surface of sensor sheets 81a' to 81e '(not shown). The key top 152 is slid and / or pressed along the three-dimensional cruciform shape.

  Also in this example, the detection area for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a by the sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ is set wider than the operation area in which the key top 152 is slid by the operator's finger 30a. Has been. In this way, with respect to the sliding operation with the operator's finger 30a, the left and right operation surfaces of the operation panel 18 sandwiching the convex key top 152 and the upper and lower operation surfaces can be included in the sliding operation range. it can.

  In this example, when the width of the key part 86a of the key top 152 shown in FIG. 39 is α1, and the width of the dome switch 85a is β1, the width α1 of the key part 86a and the width β1 of the dome switch 85a are A relationship of α1> β1 is set between them. Similarly, when the width of the key part 86b is α2 and the width of the dome switch 85b is β2, a relationship of α2> β2 is set between the width α2 of the key part 86b and the width β2 of the dome switch 85b. Is done. When the width of the key part 86c is α3 and the width of the dome switch 85c is β3, a relationship of α3> β3 is set between the width α3 of the key part 86c and the width β3 of the dome switch 85c.

  Thus, when the relationship α1> β1 is set between the width α1 of the key part 86a and the width β1 of the dome switch 85a, a pressing force is applied from the key part 86a to the dome switch 85a via the rubber sheet portion 82f ′. It is transmitted with good reproducibility, the metal dome portion 511 can be bent, and the on and off operations can be executed with high accuracy. Since the other key parts 86b to 86e and the dome switches 85b to 85e are set in the same manner, the dome switches 85b to 85e can bend each of the metal dome portions 511, and the on and off operations are accurate. It will be possible to execute well.

  FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 180 ′. The input device 180 ′ shown in FIG. 40 includes an FPC board 801, and the FPC board 801 detects a sliding position of the operator's finger 30a and outputs a position detection signal # S1. It has “˜81e”.

  In this example, the key part 86a is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85a during the input operation (see FIG. 41). Similarly, the key part 86b is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85b. The key part 86c is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85c. A key part 86d not shown in FIG. 40 is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85d. Similarly, a key part 86e (not shown) is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85e.

  Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises from one operating surface of the lower housing 11n along one circular arc shape with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, the other operating surface In addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises along the other arc shape from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11n. A sliding operation sensation that rises in the same arc shape toward the surface can be provided. In the figure, ta 'is a distance between parts formed between the rubber sheet portion 82f' and the sensor sheet 81d ', and the distance between parts ta' is about 0.27 mm. By adopting such an electrode structure, the input device 180 'can be thinned.

  Next, an operation example of the dome switch 85a and the like in the input device 180 'will be described. 41A and 41B are sectional views showing an operation example of the dome switch 85a and the like. The dome switch 85a shown in FIG. 41A is in an off state. This state is a case where the metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85a or the like is separated from the fixed contact electrode 512 of the FPC board 801, and the two contacts are electrically insulated. This is a case where the state is held.

  The dome switch 85a shown in FIG. 41B is in an on state. This state is generated as a result of the key part 86a being pressed and the dome switch 85a being turned on. According to this ON state, the protrusion 82a ′ of the metal dome part 511 abuts against the solid flat part 89 in the lower housing 11n with the dome switch 85a or the like with respect to the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the FPC board 801, This is a case where the metal dome portion 511 is bent, the contact electrode on the movable side comes into contact with the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side, and the two contacts are electrically connected.

  Similarly, the key part 86b is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85b. The key part 86c is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85c. The key part 86d is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85d. The key part 86e is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85e. By adopting the electrode structure as described above, the size of the input device 180 ′ can be reduced, the cost of electronic equipment such as a mobile phone can be reduced, and the FPC board bending process can be reduced, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. Can be realized.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 42A to 42C, an example of an electrode / wiring crossing structure between the metal dome portion 511 forming the movable contact electrode such as the dome switch 85a and the fixed contact electrode 512 will be described. In this example, the wiring pattern traversing the metal dome portion 511 and the metal dome portion 511 ′ passes through a position not in contact with the metal dome portion 511, the metal dome portion 511 ′, etc. Are wired as follows. 42A is a perspective view showing a shape example of the metal dome portion 511 applied to the FPC board 801 shown in FIG. According to the metal dome part 511 shown to FIG. 42A, hemispherical is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 32, when the metal dome portion 511 exists on the front surface side of the FPC board 81 and the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side inside the FPC board 81 is drawn from the back surface side of the FPC board 81, the wiring pattern is disconnected. The problem is not a concern. However, as shown in FIG. 36B, when the metal dome part 511 forming the movable contact electrode such as the dome switch 85a and the fixed contact electrode 512 are mixed in the same plane on the back surface side of the FPC board 801. There is a concern that a shearing stress may be applied to the wiring pattern due to the downward pressing force of the key top 152 or the like during the input operation.

  Therefore, in this example, both ends of the hemispherical metal dome 511 are cut in order to adopt an electrode / wiring crossing structure. FIG. 42B is a perspective view showing a cut example of the metal dome portion 511. According to the cut example of the metal dome portion 511 shown in FIG. 42B, the contact electrode on the movable side such as the dome switch 85a having a dome-shaped raised portion is set on both sides of the dome-shaped portion with respect to the cut surfaces Ca and Cb. It is made to cut | disconnect an edge part.

  FIG. 42C is a perspective view showing a shape example of a side cut type metal dome portion 511 ′. According to the side cut type dome switch 85a 'shown in FIG. 42C, the metal dome portion 511' constituting the movable contact electrode has a cut shape in which both side ends of the dome portion are cut.

  A cut-shaped side cut type metal dome portion 511 ′ with both end portions cut is mounted on the back side of the FPC board 801. At that time, the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side is arranged in the pressed projection region of the metal dome portion 511 ′, and the wiring pattern extending from the contact electrode 512 is formed at one end of the side cut type metal dome portion 511 ′. Therefore, electrical wiring is performed so as to be arranged outside the pressed projection area.

  When such an electrode / wiring crossing structure is adopted, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the metal dome portion 511 'applies a shearing stress to the wiring pattern during an input operation. As a result, disconnection of the wiring pattern extending from the contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of the FPC board 801 can be prevented. Of course, the method of preventing the disconnection of the wiring pattern is not limited to this, and the width of the wiring pattern crossing the pressed projection area of the metal dome portion 511 ′ is locally thicker than other wiring areas. It may be widened. In this way, although a pressing force is applied to the wiring pattern widened in the pressed projection area of the metal dome portion 511 ′, the pattern shear resistance can be improved as compared with the wiring pattern not widened.

  As for the wiring pattern crossing the metal dome portion 511 ′ or the like, the wiring pattern quasi-circularly circumscribes a virtual circle along a virtual circular shape that connects the C-shaped open portion of the metal dome portion 511 ′ to a circular shape. Alternatively, the wiring pattern may be arranged on the FPC board 801 in a form that does not go straight. In this case, a pressing force is applied to the wiring pattern arranged along the virtual circular shape in the pressed projection area of the metal dome portion 511 ′, but the metal pattern is compared with the wiring pattern extending linearly from the contact electrode 512. Since the contact portion between the edge portion of the dome portion 511 ′ and the diagonally intersecting portion of the wiring pattern becomes long, the pattern shear strength can be improved.

  43 is a plan view showing an arrangement example of the dome switches 85a ′ to 85e ′ in the input device 180 ″. According to the input device 180 ″ shown in FIG. 43, in the FPC board 801, in order to prevent pattern disconnection, An electrode / wiring crossing structure is adopted in which the grounding portion of the metal dome portion 511 ′ is avoided and the wiring pattern # 00 of the ground (GND) terminal is routed.

  On the back side of the FPC board 801 shown in FIG. 43, five dome switches 85a 'to 85e' are arranged. A side-cut metal dome 511 'is provided. The metal dome portion 511 ′ is obtained by cutting both end portions of the metal dome portion 511 having a diameter dφ = 2.8 mm indicated by the dome switch 85 a or the like (see FIG. 42C). This is for preventing cutting of the wiring pattern # 00 and the like due to shearing. The metal dome portion 511 ′ constitutes a movable contact electrode of each of the dome switches 85 a ′ to 85 e ′, and the lower surface of the dome-shaped portion has a C shape.

  On the back surface of the FPC board 801, a fixed-side contact electrode 512 constituting the dome switch 85a 'is provided inside a metal dome portion 511' that is raised like a dome of the dome switch 85a '. In the other dome switches 85b 'to 85e', the fixed-side contact electrode 512 is provided in the same manner. The contact electrode 512 on the fixed side of each of the dome switches 85a 'to 85e' is wired through the open end of the C-shaped part below the metal dome part 511 'on the back side of the FPC board 801. The fixed contact electrodes 512 are connected to each other, and are connected to the wiring pattern # 06 (LED +) drawn to the surface side through the through hole 88g.

  The metal dome part 511 ′ constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85a ′ is connected to the wiring pattern # 01 (center) drawn from the back side of the FPC board 801 to the front side through the through hole 88e. The The metal dome portion 511 ′ constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85b ′ is connected to the wiring pattern # 04 (bottom) drawn from the back surface side of the FPC board 801 to the front surface side through the through hole 88h. The The metal dome part 511 ′ constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85c ′ is connected to the wiring pattern # 02 (upper) drawn from the back side of the FPC board 801 to the front side through the through hole 88d. The

  The metal dome portion 511 ′ constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85d ′ is connected to the wiring pattern # 05 (left) drawn from the back surface side of the FPC board 801 to the front surface side through the through hole 88i. The The metal dome portion 511 ′ constituting the movable contact electrode by the dome switch 85e ′ is connected to the wiring pattern # 03 (right) drawn from the back surface side of the FPC board 801 to the front surface side through the through hole 88i. The

  When “enter” is input with the five dome switches 85a ′ to 85e ′ on the top, bottom, left, and right, and the center, the metal dome portion 511 ′ of the dome switches 85a ′ to 85e ′ is deformed and the wiring pattern # 00 (GND) Wiring pattern # 02 (upper) is connected, wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 04 (lower) are connected, and wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and wiring pattern # 05 (left) are connected. Then, the wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and the wiring pattern # 03 (right) are connected, or the wiring pattern # 00 (GND) and the wiring pattern # 01 (center) are connected (see FIG. 36A).

  Thus, according to the input device 180 ″, since the above-described electrode / wiring crossing structure is provided, the shear stress applied to the wiring pattern # 00 of the FPC board 801 by the pressing operation of the metal dome portion 511 ′ can be relieved.

  FIG. 44 is a plan view showing an operation example when the tracing of the input device 180 ′ is detected. The wiring patterns # 01 to # 05 shown in FIG. 44 are connected to the control unit 15, and the trace detection signals S01 to S05 of the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' are output to the control unit 15. In the drawing, the white arrow indicates the tracing direction on the key top 152 shown in FIG. In this modification, a vertical tracing mode, a horizontal tracing mode, and a disk tracing mode are provided.

  A vertical white arrow Ia shown in FIG. 44 is a sliding operation direction in the vertical tracing mode, and corresponds to the tracing detection range. Here, the trace detection area of the sensor sheet 81a ′ is set to “5”, the trace detection area of the sensor sheet 81b ′ is set to “3”, the trace detection area of the sensor sheet 81c ′ is set to “1”, and the trace of the sensor sheet 81d ′ is set. When the detection area is set to “4” and the tracing detection area of the sensor sheet 81e ′ is set to “2”, when the vertical tracing mode is set, the control unit 15 performs an order of “1 → 5 → 3”, or In the reverse order of “3 → 5 → 1”, the detection sensitivity between the adjacent electrode patterns is calculated as the center of gravity.

  For example, the sensor sheet 81c ′ outputs the trace detection signal S02 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 02. The sensor sheet 81a 'outputs a trace detection signal S01 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 01. The sensor sheet 81b 'outputs a trace detection signal S04 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 04. The control unit 15 calculates the detection sensitivity between the electrode patterns based on the trace detection signal S02 from the sensor sheet 81c ′, the trace detection signal S01 from the sensor sheet 81a ′, and the trace detection signal S04 from the sensor sheet 81b ′. Perform centroid calculation. Thus, in the vertical tracing mode, the position of the operator's finger 30a or the moving direction and moving amount of the finger 30a can be detected.

  A horizontal white arrow Ib shown in FIG. 44 is a sliding operation direction in the horizontal tracing mode, and corresponds to the tracing detection range. When this horizontal tracing mode is set, the control unit 15 sets the detection sensitivity between the adjacent electrode patterns in the order of “4 → 5 → 2” or the reverse direction “2 → 5 → 4”. The center of gravity is calculated.

  For example, the sensor sheet 81d ′ outputs the trace detection signal S05 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 05. The sensor sheet 81a 'outputs a trace detection signal S01 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 01. The sensor sheet 81e 'outputs a trace detection signal S03 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 03. The control unit 15 calculates the detection sensitivity between the electrode patterns based on the trace detection signal S05 from the sensor sheet 81d ′, the trace detection signal S01 from the sensor sheet 81a ′, and the trace detection signal S03 from the sensor sheet 81e ′. Perform centroid calculation. As a result, the position of the operator's finger 30a or the moving direction and the moving amount of the finger 30a can be detected in the horizontal stroking mode. Hereinafter, the vertical tracing mode and the horizontal tracing mode in which the key top 152 is traced in a cross shape are collectively referred to as a cross JOG mode.

  Also, a circular white arrow Ic shown in FIG. 44 is a sliding operation direction in the disc tracing mode, and corresponds to the tracing detection range. When the disc tracing mode is set, the control unit 15 sets each adjacency in the order of “1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 1” or the reverse direction “1 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1”. The center of gravity of the detection sensitivity between the electrode patterns is calculated.

  For example, the sensor sheet 81c ′ outputs the trace detection signal S02 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 02. The sensor sheet 81e 'outputs a trace detection signal S03 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 03. The sensor sheet 81b 'outputs a trace detection signal S04 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 04. The sensor sheet 81d 'outputs a trace detection signal S05 to the control unit 15 via the wiring pattern # 05.

  The control unit 15 generates a trace detection signal S02 from the sensor sheet 81c ′, a trace detection signal S03 from the sensor sheet 81e ′, a trace detection signal S04 from the sensor sheet 81b ′, and a trace detection signal S05 from the sensor sheet 81d ′. Based on this, the detection sensitivity between the electrode patterns is calculated, and the center of gravity is calculated. In the disk tracing mode in which the key top 152 is rotated 360 degrees, the position of the operator's finger 30a or the moving direction and moving amount of the finger 30a can be detected. The disk tracing mode described above is hereinafter referred to as a disk JOG mode.

  45A and 45B are explanatory diagrams showing a configuration example of the mobile phone 104 and a display example of its operation screen. A cellular phone 104 illustrated in FIG. 45A is an example of an electronic device, and includes a foldable upper casing 11x and a lower casing 11y. A display unit 29 is provided in the upper casing 11x, and an input operation image such as a TOP screen for setting various modes is displayed on the display screen.

  An input device 180 'as shown in FIG. 36 is mounted on the lower casing 11y, and information is input by a sliding operation with the operator's finger 30a. The lower housing 11y includes an operation panel 18 having an operation surface. A key top 152 is provided on the operation panel 18 so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ as shown in FIG. 38, and the key top 152 slides along the operation surface of the lower casing 11y. Is operated. The key top 152 includes a convex shape that rises from the one operation surface of the lower housing 11y along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface.

  The input device 180 ′ includes an FPC board 801 as shown in FIG. 38, detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a, outputs the position detection signal # S1, and outputs the tracing detection signals S01 to S05. Sheets 81a 'to 81e' are mounted. The FPC board 801 is configured to include dome switches 85a to 85e that are turned on and / or off by pushing the operator's finger 30a into the key top 152 (see FIG. 39).

  Next, an example of the relationship between the input device 180 'and the application will be described. According to the mobile phone 104 shown in FIG. 45A, a 360-degree tracing operation and / or a cross-shaped tracing operation is performed on the operation panel 18 as indicated by a white arrow. The mobile phone 104 is used to select each operation mode from the TOP screen according to the user's preference. In this example, the tracing mode is fixed to the cross JOG mode or the disk JOG mode by executing the following setting operation. The user can operate various applications according to the tracing mode determined by the user.

  FIG. 45B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the TOP screen on the display unit 29. In the display unit 29 shown in FIG. 45A, a character image of “1: My Menu 2: My Media 3: Mail 4: Camera 5: WEB 6: GPS 7: Setting” is displayed together with a character image of the name “TOP” on the TOP screen. Will be displayed. In this example, when “7: setting” is selected, the character color and the like are reversed. Character icon images such as “Top” and “End” are displayed below the display screen.

  46A to 46D are state transition diagrams showing an example of mode setting in the display unit 29. FIG. FIG. 46A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting screen on the display unit 29. In this example, since “7: setting” is selected on the display unit 29 shown in FIG. 45B, the display is switched to the “setting” screen as shown in FIG. 46A. On this “setting” screen, a character icon image relating to “1: sound setting 2: alarm setting 3: navi key setting 4: camera setting 5: GPS setting” is displayed. Character icon images such as “Top” and “End” are displayed below the display screen.

  FIG. 46B is a diagram showing an example of navi-Key setting on the display unit 29. In this example, since “3: navi key setting” is selected on the display unit 29 shown in FIG. 46A, the display is switched to a navi-key setting screen as shown in FIG. 46B. On the navi-Key setting screen, a character icon image relating to “cross JOG mode disc JOG mode no slide function” is displayed.

  FIG. 46C is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the cross JOG mode on the navi-Key setting screen. In this example, when “Cross JOG mode” is selected in FIG. 46B, the character color of “Cross JOG mode” is highlighted. At the same time, the display is switched to the character image “Cross JOG mode has been set” in the navi-Key setting screen shown in FIG. 46C. Below this character image, a character image of “Selection of item is performed by sliding up and down or left and right” is displayed. Note that character icons such as “Top” and “End” are displayed below the display screen.

  FIG. 46D is a diagram illustrating an example of an end display when navi-Key is set on the display unit 29. In this example, when the “end” character icon image shown in FIG. 46C is selected, the display is switched to the navi-key setting screen shown in FIG. 46C, and the character color of “cross JOG mode” in the setting screen is changed. The original display color is restored. Thereby, the setting of the cross JOG mode is completed. When changing the mode setting, a character icon image such as “Top” or “End” at the bottom of the display screen is selected.

  47A and 47B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of input operations in the cross-JOG mode. FIG. 47A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application for the cross JOG mode. According to the application for the cross JOG mode, the application includes information related to a plurality of input operation images scrolled in the vertical direction and information related to a plurality of input operation images scrolled in the horizontal direction.

  The information Q11 to Q15 related to the five input operation images and the information Q16 to Q18 related to the three input operation images shown in FIG. 47A are expanded in a memory space such as the storage unit 35 shown in FIG. The image is scrolled in the vertical direction or the image is scrolled in the horizontal direction. In the cross JOG mode, the scroll operation can be performed so that the output of the information Q11 to Q15 related to the vertical input operation video and the output of the information Q16 to Q18 related to the horizontal input operation video intersect. In the figure, information Q13 related to the input operation image surrounded by a thick line is information related to the image selected when the input operation is determined by pressing the dome switch 85b or the like such as the key top 152. The application is executed based on the information Q13 regarding the selected video.

  FIG. 47B is a diagram showing a display example of a UI design screen for the cross JOG mode. According to the display example of the UI (user interface) design screen for the cross JOG mode, information Q11 to Q15 related to the vertical input operation video and information Q16 related to the horizontal input operation video from the storage unit 35 shown in FIG. 47A. Are read out, and a plurality of icon images scrolled in the vertical direction and a plurality of icon images scrolled in the horizontal direction are displayed on the same screen of the display unit 29 based on the information Q11 to Q18. To be made.

  A scroll operation is performed so that a plurality of icon images in the vertical direction intersect with a plurality of icon images in the horizontal direction. In the figure, an icon image surrounded by a thick line is an icon image selected by depressing the dome switch 85b or the like such as the key top 152 to determine an input operation. The application is executed based on the information related to the icon image selected here.

  According to the above example, the tracing mode automatically changes depending on each application or the currently selected UI design screen. In this case, the user does not determine the tracing mode individually, but the tracing mode is automatically set according to the state of the UI design screen that the user is trying to operate, so that the scrolling operation can be performed intuitively. Become.

  According to this tracing mode automatic setting function, in the cross JOG mode, a gyro sensor or the like is provided, and it is detected that the holding method of the electronic device such as the mobile phone 104 has changed, and the application screen is displayed according to the detection information. In the case of inversion, as a matter of course, the detection mode is also reversed from the vertical tracing mode to the horizontal tracing mode, or reversed from the horizontal tracing mode to the vertical tracing mode, etc., to improve the input operability.

  48A and 48B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of input operations in the disk JOG mode. FIG. 48A is a diagram showing a configuration example of an application for the disk JOG mode. According to the application for the disc JOG mode, it is composed of information related to a plurality of input operation images scrolled in the circle direction.

  The information Q21 to Q29 related to the nine input operation images shown in FIG. 48A is developed in a memory space such as the storage unit 35 as shown in FIG. 66, and these input operation images are scrolled in the direction of drawing a circle. is there. In the disc JOG mode, information Q21 to Q29 related to the input operation video scrolled in the circular direction is output, for example, clockwise or counterclockwise so that the scroll operation can be performed. In the figure, the information related to the input operation image surrounded by a thick line is information related to the image selected when the input operation is determined by pressing the dome switch 85b or the like such as the key top 152. The application is executed based on the information related to the selected video.

  FIG. 48B is a diagram showing a display example of a UI design screen for the disc JOG mode. According to the display example of the UI design screen for the disk JOG mode, information Q21 to Q29 related to the input operation video in the direction of drawing a circle is read from the storage unit 35 shown in FIG. 48A, and based on these information Q21 to Q29. A plurality of icon images scrolled in the circle direction are displayed on the same screen of the display unit 29. Id shown in FIG. 48B is an area for displaying the title of the application, for example.

  In the disc JOG mode, a plurality of icon images scrolled in the circular direction are displayed clockwise or counterclockwise, for example, so that a scroll operation can be performed. In the figure, an icon image surrounded by a thick line is an icon image selected by depressing the dome switch 85b or the like such as the key top 152 to determine an input operation. The application is executed based on the information related to the icon image selected here.

  FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating an example of automatic setting of the tracing mode in the input device 180 ′. In this example, identification information for mode discrimination is described in advance in video information for displaying an application for the cross JOG mode, and identification information is similarly described in video information for displaying a UI design image for the cross JOG mode. The

  Similarly, identification information is described in the video information displaying the application for the disc JOG mode, and the identification information is also described in the video information displaying the UI design image for the disc JOG mode. For example, the control unit 15 extracts the above-described identification information and automatically sets the tracing mode based on the identification information. When the input operation based on the application or UI design image is ended, the end information is output from the input device 180 ′ to the control unit 15.

  Under these conditions, in step ST31 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 49, the control unit 15 waits for input (detection) of information indicating whether the slide function is turned on or off (hereinafter referred to as on information or off information). The slide function ON information is set in the control unit 15 on the navi-Key setting screen shown in FIG. 46B. When the slide function ON information is input, the process proceeds to step ST32. When the slide function ON information is not input, the process waits until the slide function ON information is detected.

  In step ST32, the control unit 15 determines the tracing mode corresponding to the application or UI design screen. The discrimination criterion at this time is to detect the identification information described in advance in the video information for displaying each application or the currently selected UI design screen, and decode (detect) the tracing mode corresponding to the identification information. . For example, when the control unit 15 decodes the identification information previously described in the video information for displaying the application, the identification information previously described in the video information for displaying the UI design image, or the like indicates the cross-JOG mode. And control branches according to the case where the identification information described in advance in the video information for displaying the application, the identification information described in advance in the video information for displaying the UI design image, etc. indicates the disk JOG mode. .

  If it is determined that the identification information related to the application, the identification information related to the UI design image, or the like indicates “cross JOG mode”, the process proceeds to step ST33, and the control unit 15 performs the application or UI design in the cross JOG mode. Perform input operations based on images.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST34, where the control unit 15 determines the end of the input operation based on the application or UI design image. At this time, when the input operation based on the application or UI design image is ended, the end information such as the slide function OFF information is output from the input device 180 ′ operated by the user to the control unit 15. When this end information is not detected, the process returns to step ST33, and the control unit 15 continues the input operation based on the above-described application or UI design image in the cross-JOG mode. When the end information is detected, the slide function is turned off, and the off information is output to the control unit 15. Therefore, the process returns to step ST31 and the control unit 15 waits for input (detection) of the slide function on information. .

  If it is determined in step ST32 that the identification information related to the application, the identification information related to the UI design image, and the like indicate the “disc JOG mode”, the process proceeds to step ST35, and the control unit 15 performs the disc JOG mode. An input operation based on the application or UI design image is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step ST36, where the control unit 15 determines the end of the input operation based on the application or UI design image.

  At this time, when the input operation based on the application or UI design image is ended, the end information such as the slide function OFF information is output from the input device 180 ′ operated by the user to the control unit 15. If this end information is not detected, the process returns to step ST35, and the control unit 15 continues the input operation based on the above-described application or UI design image in the disk JOG mode. When the end information is detected, the slide function is turned off, and the off information is output to the control unit 15. Therefore, the process returns to step ST31 and the control unit 15 waits for input (detection) of the slide function on information. .

  As described above, according to the modified input device 180 ′, either the cross JOG mode or the disk JOG mode can be automatically set. An input operation based on the application or UI design image can be executed in the automatically set cross JOG mode or disc JOG mode.

50A and 50B are a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an input device 190 as a nineteenth embodiment and a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration thereof.
In this embodiment, instead of the convex key top 144 described in the ninth embodiment, a lower housing 11o and a key top 244 having a reverse arc concave shape are integrally formed. The dome switch 25 and the pusher 19 are omitted. When the dome switch 25 is applied to the input device 190, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The input device 190 shown in FIG. 50A has a lower housing 11o with a key top having a convex shape on the back surface. According to the lower housing 11o, the operation surface of the key top 244 has a convex shape on the back surface as shown in FIG. 50B.

  In this example, the reverse arc concave shape of the key top 244 forms a bottomed reverse arc having a predetermined depth and opening width. For example, the key top 244 has a concave shape that is dug in the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11o and that is dug toward the other operation surface. In order to obtain such a shape, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower housing that is shaped like an inverted arc that forms the key top 244, and the lower housing 11o having a concave shape is formed. Good. The key top 244 is formed in a region covering the entire surface of the sensor 13.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner concave portion of the key top 244, and operates to detect the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a. A capacitive sheet member is used for the sensor 13, and the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is detected and a position detection signal # S1 is output. As the sensor 13, a pressure detection sheet member is used in addition to the capacitance sheet member, and the pressure at the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is detected and a pressure detection signal is output.

  In this example, the operation surface of the key top 244 is made of a material different from that of the lower housing 11o, the surface roughness of the material constituting the key top 244 is A, and the surface roughness of the material constituting the lower housing 11o. When the degree is B, a relationship of A <B is set between the surface roughness A and the surface roughness B. If comprised in this way, compared with the sliding operation in the operation surface of the lower housing | casing 11o, the sliding operation of the part dug down along the sliding direction from the operation surface, and dug out toward the other operation surface The information can be easily selected by the sliding operation of the operator's finger 30a. As a result, the input device 190 having the key top 244 can have a sealed structure.

  The key top 244 is slid along the operation surface of the lower housing 11o, and is slid along the bottomed arcuate convex shape. In this way, in addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs in an arc shape along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11o with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, the other operation It is possible to give an arc-shaped sliding operation feeling that digs up toward the surface. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like having an inverted structure with respect to the non-rotating side jog tool or the like of the first input device 10. The key top 244 of this shape can be applied as an information selection key such as a scroll key for searching various information and a volume key for adjusting the volume.

  Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11o and close to the key top 244. When the input is confirmed, the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is provided. On the other hand, vibration can be generated by the vibrating body, and a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a.

  51A and 51B are conceptual diagrams illustrating examples of operations of the input device 190. FIG. Also in this example, the detection region (3) in which the sensor 13 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a is larger than the recessed region (2) ′ in which the key top 244 is slid by the operator's finger 30a. Widely set.

  In this example, the input device 190 is operated with the left hand, and it digs down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11o and digs up toward the other operation surface. A key top 244 having a concave shape is used. A capacitive sheet member is used for the sensor 13, and a detection area in which the sensor 13 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30 a is an operation area in which the key top 244 is slid by the operator's finger 30 a. For example, a case where the setting is wider than the above is given.

  In FIG. 51A, first, the operator presses the left thumb on the upper part of the operation range (1) of the input device 190. Next, the operator's finger 30a is slid along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11b. At this time, the operator's finger 30a slides on the detection region (3) of the sensor 13 in the lower housing 11b.

  When the operator's finger 30a continues the sliding operation in the recessed area (2) ′ of the exposed portion of the key top 244, it digs down from the descending start portion X ′ and reaches the hole bottom portion of the key top 244 shown in FIG. 51B. . Further, when the sliding operation in the recessed area (2) ′ is continued, the digging is performed toward the other operation surface, and the ascending end portion Y ′ of the key top 244 shown in FIG. 51C is reached.

  In this example, while the sliding operation is performed in FIGS. 51A to 51C, the sensor 13 detects the sliding position of the operator's finger 30 a and outputs a position detection signal #S 1 to the control unit 15. As a result, in response to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that digs in an arc shape along the sliding direction from one operating surface of the lower housing 11b, the other operating surface is directed. It is possible to give an arcuate sliding operation feeling. In addition, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like having a structure different from that of the conventional rotating side jog tool and capable of providing a unique operation feeling not found in the side jog tool.

  As described above, according to the input device 190 according to the nineteenth embodiment, instead of the key top 144 having the flat back surface described in the ninth embodiment, the key top having an inverted arc concave shape with the lower housing 11o. 244 is integrally formed.

  Accordingly, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the input device 190 in the cellular phone or the like can be easily assembled compared to the method of incorporating the key top 24, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Become. Moreover, since the detection area (3) of the sensor 13 is set wider than the concave area (2) ′ of the key top 244, the concave key top 244 is sandwiched with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a. One operation surface of the lower casing 11o and the other operation surface can be included in the sliding operation range. As a result, it becomes possible to provide a mobile phone or the like having the input device 190 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance.

  In this example, the case where the key top 244 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11o as shown in FIG. 50 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11o. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

52A and 52B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the input device 200 as the twentieth embodiment.
In this embodiment, instead of the reverse arc concave key top 244 described in the nineteenth embodiment, the lower housing 11p and the key top 245 having an inverted concave shape are integrally formed. . The dome switch 25 and the pusher 19 are omitted. When the dome switch 25 is applied to the input device 200, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the electrostatic capacity sea member.

  The input device 200 shown in FIG. 52A has a lower casing 11p with a key top that has an inverted trapezoidal concave shape and a back convex shape. According to the lower casing 11p, the operation surface of the key top 245 has an inverted pedestal concave shape, unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 51, and its back surface is convex as shown in FIG. 52B. It is part-shaped. For example, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower casing that is shaped like an inner inverted trapezoid that becomes the key top 245, and the lower casing 11p having a concave shape is formed.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is arranged in the inner concave portion of the key top 245. Thereby, the input device 200 having the key tops 245 can have a sealed structure. The key top 245 is slid along a concave shape that digs down from one operation surface of the lower housing 11p along the sliding direction and digs toward the other operation surface. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11p and close to the key top 245, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing. Refer to FIG. 51 for an operation example of the input device 200.

  As described above, according to the input device 200 according to the twentieth embodiment, instead of the arc-shaped convex key top 244 described in the nineteenth embodiment, the key top having an inverted concave shape with the lower casing 11p. 245 and 245 are integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 200 is simplified as compared with the method of incorporating the key top 14, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 200 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Since the dome switch 25 is omitted, the bellows-like process can be omitted in the vicinity of the descending start portion X ′ and the ascending end portion Y ′ of the key top 245.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 52, the case where the key top 245 is provided on the right side of the lower housing 11p has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 245 is provided on the left side of the lower housing 11p. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

53A and 53B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the input device 210 as the twenty-first embodiment.
In this embodiment, the lower casing 11q and a key top 246 having a long hole concave shape are integrally formed in place of the inverted top concave key top 245 described in the twentieth embodiment. . The dome switch 25 and the pusher 19 are omitted. When the dome switch 25 is applied to the input device 210, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The input device 210 shown in FIG. 53A has a lower casing 11q with a key top having a concave shape of a long hole and a convex shape of the back surface. According to the lower housing 11q, the operation surface of the key top 246 has a long hole concave shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 53, and the back surface thereof is convex as shown in FIG. 53B. It has a part shape. For example, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower casing that has a concave shape of a long hole to be the key top 246, and the lower casing 11q having a concave shape is formed.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner concave portion of the key top 246. Thereby, the input device 210 having the key top 246 can be made to have a sealed structure. In the case where the input device 210 is operated with the left hand, the key top 246 is dug from the one operation surface of the lower housing 11q along the sliding direction, and is dug toward the other operation surface. It is slid along the concave shape. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11q and close to the key top 246, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing. Refer to FIG. 51 for an operation example of the input device 210.

  As described above, according to the input device 210 according to the twenty-first embodiment, instead of the upside-down concave key top 245 described in the twentieth embodiment, the lower housing 11q and a key having a long hole concave shape. The top 246 is integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 210 is simplified as compared with the method of incorporating the key top 14, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 210 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Since the dome switch 25 is omitted, the bellows-like process can be omitted in the vicinity of the descending start portion X ′ and the ascending end portion Y ′ of the key top 246.

  In this example, the key top 246 is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11q as shown in FIG. 53. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the key top 246 is also provided on the left side of the lower casing 11q. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  54A and 54B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an input device 220 as a twenty-second embodiment.

  In this embodiment, instead of the elongated hole concave key top 246 described in the twenty-first embodiment, a lower housing 11r and a key top 247 having an inverted hook shape are integrally formed. The dome switch 25 and the pusher 19 are omitted. When the pressing function by the key top 247 is applied, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The input device 220 shown in FIG. 54A has a lower casing 11r with a key top that has an inverted saddle shape and a convex shape on the back surface. According to the lower housing 11r, the operation surface of the key top 247 has an inverted hook shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. In this example, the key top 247 is formed in a relationship of w = h where the width is w and the height of the lower housing 11r is h. The back surface of the key top 247 has a convex shape as shown in FIG. 54B. For example, resin is sealed in a mold for a lower housing that is shaped like a bowl dome to be a key top 247 having a width w to form a lower housing 11r having a height h in which the portion forms a concave shape.

  Also in this example, the sensor 13 is disposed in the inner recess of the key top 247. Thereby, the input device 220 having the key top 247 can be a sealed structure. The key top 247 is slid along a concave shape that digs down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower casing 11r and digs up toward the other operation surface. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11r and close to the key top 247, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing. Refer to FIG. 51 for an operation example of the input device 220.

  As described above, according to the input device 220 according to the twenty-second embodiment, instead of the elongated hole concave key top 246 described in the twenty-first embodiment, the key top having an inverted saddle shape with the lower housing 11r. And 247 are integrally formed.

  Therefore, as described in the first to sixth embodiments, the assembly of the input device 220 is simplified as compared with the method of incorporating the key top 14, 141, etc. into the opening 11c of the lower housing 11b. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 220 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Since the dome switch 25 is omitted, the bellows-like processing can be omitted in the vicinity of the descending start portion X ′ and the ascending end portion Y ′ of the key top 247.

  In this example, the case where the key top 247 is provided on the right side of the lower casing 11r has been described as shown in FIG. 54. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the left side of the lower casing 11r. Needless to say, similar effects can be obtained.

  FIG. 55 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 230 as the twenty-third embodiment. In this embodiment, the operation panel 18 'of the lower housing 11s and the hemisphere instead of the key tops 14, 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments. A key top 248 having a concave shape on the inner side is formed integrally.

  The input device 230 shown in FIG. 55 has a lower housing 11s with a key top having a concave shape of a single hemispheric inner side horizontal character. The upper part of the lower housing 11s is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 'on which numeric keys "0" to "9", "*" key, "#" key and the like are arranged. ing. In this example, each key has an elliptical shape.

  According to the lower casing 11s, the operation surface of the key top 248 is recessed in a hemispherical inner side horizontal single character concave shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIGS. The key top 248 has a bottomed hemispherical concave shape having a predetermined depth and opening width. As for the inner structure of the key top 248 of the lower housing 11s, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 50, FIG. 53 or FIG. 53B is adopted (see FIG. 50, FIG. 53 or FIG. 53B). When the pressing function by the key top 248 is applied, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The lower housing 11s has, for example, a concave shape on the inner side of the hemisphere that becomes the key top 248, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18 ′, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. The resin is encapsulated in the engraved lower housing mold so that the portion has a concave shape. Accordingly, the operation panel 18 ′ such as a numeric keypad and the key top 248 are integrally formed, and the input device 230 having the key top 248 can be made to have a sealed structure. The key top 248 is slid along a concave shape that digs down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower casing 11s and digs toward the other operation surface. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11s and close to the key top 248, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the key top 248 is slid and operated along a concave shape (one track with a bottomed hemispherical concave shape). As a result, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that digs in an arc along one trajectory of the hemispherical inner surface shape from the one operation surface of the lower housing 11s to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, the other It is possible to give a feeling of sliding operation that digs in an arc shape toward the operation surface. Therefore, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, a unique operation feeling that the cross key does not have, and the key top 248 of the shape can be applied as a video information selection key for selecting information. become.

  Thus, according to the input device 230 of the twenty-third embodiment, the operation panel 18 ′ of the lower housing 11s and the key top 248 having a concave shape on the inner side of the hemisphere are formed integrally. is there. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the input device 230 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, compared to a method of assembling separately the key top 248 of the arc-shaped concave key top 248 and the numeric keys “0” to “9”, the “*” key, the “#” key, etc. Assembling of the input device 230 is simplified.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 55, the key top 248 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11s. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is provided on the back surface side of the lower housing 11s. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 56 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 240 as the twenty-fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the operation panel 18 'of the lower housing 11t and the hemisphere are used instead of the key tops 14, 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments. A key top 249 having a concave shape on the inner surface is formed integrally.

  An input device 240 shown in FIG. 56 has a lower housing 11t with a key top having a concave shape of a single hemispheric inner surface. The upper part of the lower housing 11t is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 ′ on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key and the like are arranged. ing. According to the lower housing 11t, the operation surface of the key top 249 is recessed into a hemispherical inner surface vertical single character concave shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. The key top 249 has a predetermined depth and opening width. As the inner structure of the key top 249 of the lower housing 11t, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 50, FIG. 53, or FIG. 53B is adopted (see FIG. 50, FIG. 53, or FIG. 53B). When the pressing function by the key top 249 is applied, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The lower housing 11t has, for example, a concave shape of a single hemispherical inner surface that becomes the key top 249, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18 ′, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. The resin is encapsulated in the engraved lower housing mold so that the portion has a concave shape. Thereby, the input device 240 having the key top 249 can be a sealed structure. The key top 249 is slid along a concave shape that digs down from one operation surface of the lower housing 11t along the sliding direction and digs toward the other operation surface. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11t and close to the key top 249, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the key top 249 is slid along the concave shape of a single hemispherical inner surface. As a result, in response to a sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, a slide that digs in an arc shape from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11t along the concave shape of the upper half of the hemispheric inner surface (one trajectory of the hemispherical concave shape). In addition to a dynamic operation sensation, a sliding operation sensation can be given that is dug into a concave shape toward the other operation surface. Therefore, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, a unique operation feeling that the cross key does not have, and the key top 249 of the shape can be applied as a video information selection key for selecting information. become.

  As described above, according to the input device 240 of the twenty-fourth embodiment, the operation panel 18 ′ of the lower housing 11t and the key top 249 having a concave shape of one hemispheric inner surface are integrally formed. is there. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the input device 240 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. Moreover, compared to the method of assembling separately the key top 249 having a concave shape with a hemispherical inner surface and a numeric keypad of numbers “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, etc. The assembly of the device 240 is simplified.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 56, the key top 249 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11t. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case is provided on the back surface side of the lower housing 11t. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 57 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 250 as the twenty-fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the key tops 14 and 141 to 146 for housing side surface arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments, the operation panel 18 ′ of the lower housing 11u and the hemisphere A key top 251 having an inner cross-shaped concave shape is integrally formed.

  The input device 250 shown in FIG. 57 has a lower housing 11u with a key top having a hemispherical inner cross-shaped concave shape. The upper part of the lower housing 11u is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 'on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key and the like are arranged. ing.

  According to the lower housing 11u, the operation surface of the key top 251 is recessed in a hemispherical inner cross-recessed shape unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. As the inner structure of the key top 251 of the lower housing 11u, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 50, FIG. 53, or FIG. 53B is adopted (see FIG. 50, FIG. 53, or FIG. 53B). When the pressing function by the key top 251 is applied, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The lower housing 11u is, for example, an ellipse of a hemispheric inner cross shape that becomes the key top 251, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18 ′, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. A resin is sealed in the lower casing mold, and the portion is formed in a concave shape. Thereby, the input device 250 having the key top 251 can be a sealed structure. The key top 251 is slid along a concave shape that digs down from one operation surface of the operation panel 18 ′ along the sliding direction and digs toward the other operation surface. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11u and close to the key top 251 so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the hemispherical inner cross-recessed shape of the key top 251 has a shape obtained by intersecting the hemispherical inner horizontal single character concave shape shown in FIG. 55 with the hemispherical inner vertical single character concave shape shown in FIG. The key top 251 is slid along the hemispheric inner surface horizontal single character concave shape, and / or is slid along the hemispheric inner surface vertical single character concave shape intersecting therewith.

  As described above, according to the input device 250 of the twenty-fifth embodiment, the operation panel 18 'of the lower housing 11u and the key top 251 having a planar cross-concave shape are integrally formed.

  Therefore, in response to a sliding operation by an operator's finger, a sliding operation that digs in an arc from one operating surface of the lower housing 11u along a hemispheric inner side horizontal one-letter concave shape (one orbit of a hemispherical concave shape). In addition to the sensation, it gives a sliding operation sensation that digs in an arc convex shape toward the other operation surface, and a hemispheric inner side horizontal single letter concave shape (hemispherical concave shape) from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11u. In addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs in an arc along the other trajectory that intersects one trajectory), it gives a sliding operation feeling that digs into a hemispherical vertical single character concave shape toward the other operation surface be able to.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to provide the input device 250 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, compared to the conventional method of assembling the flat cross-shaped key top and the operation panel comprising the numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, etc. separately. Thus, the input device 250 can be easily assembled.

  FIG. 58 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of an input device 250 ′ as a modification. In this embodiment, dome switches 85 a to 85 e are provided on the FPC board 81 and are operated to be turned on and / or off by pressing the key top 251. According to the input device 250 ′ shown in FIG. 58, the FPC board 81 is disposed in the lower housing 11 u ′, and the key top array type operation panel 38 is covered from the upper part thereof.

  In this example, a key top 246 (see FIG. 53) having a long hole concave shape as shown in FIG. 53 is formed, and a lower housing 11u ′ having a hinge mechanism is used. For example, the lower housing 11u 'is formed by injecting PC (polycarbonate) resin, PC + ABS resin, or the like into a mold that is shaped like a hinge mechanism or a long hole for a key top. In this example, after the key top 246 is formed, UV (ultraviolet) coating is performed. For example, a solution that improves wearability is applied to the operation surface of the key top 246. Thereafter, the coating film surface is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the wear resistance of the operation surface of the key top 246 can be improved.

  When the lower housing 11u ′ is made of metal, an aluminum plate, a magnesium plate, or a stainless steel plate such as SUS304 is used, and these members are keyed in place by pressing, deep drawing, or extruding. A lower housing 11u ′ having a top 246 is formed. Inside the key top 246, the sensor 13 and the FPC board 81 are arranged in this order. For example, the sensor 13 is continuously formed on an operation panel 38 that forms numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, and the like.

  The operation surface of the operation panel 38 is provided with numeric keypads “0” to “9”, “*” symbol keys, “#” symbol keys, and the like, and a key top 251 is integrally formed with the numeric keypads. . The operation panel 38 is formed by, for example, injecting a predetermined resin or the like into a mold that forms the key top 251 or the numeric keypad. Further, the rubber sheet portion 82f with the pushers 82a to 82e is disposed on the FPC board 81 with a switch function with the sensor sheets 81a 'to 81e' being sandwiched therebetween.

  The FPC board 81 includes sheet-like sensor sheets 81a to 81e (not shown) that detect a sliding position of the operator's finger 30a and output a position detection signal # S1. The FPC board 81 has a sheet shape. On one surface of the FPC board 81, sheet-like sensor sheets 81a to 81e including a dome-like raised portion are provided, and the dome switches 85a to 85e are formed on the inner side of the dome-like raised portion. A contact pattern is provided on the other surface of the FPC board 81, and a wiring pattern is provided through a through hole (not shown) from the contact electrodes on the fixed side of the dome switches 85a to 85e (see FIG. 32).

  The sensor sheets 81a to 81e are provided below the rubber sheet portion 82f. Also in this example, part of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e is raised in a dome shape, and the portions of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e raised in a dome shape constitute the dome switches 85a to 85e. The contact electrode on the movable side of the dome switches 85 a to 85 e with the metal dome portion 511 is constituted by the metal dome portion 511. In addition to the dome switches 85a to 85e, the FPC board 81 is provided with a plurality of key switches including numeric keys “0” to “9” forming the operation panel 38, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. .

  When the input device 250 ′ is configured in this manner, it is possible to provide the FPC board 81 with a switch function in which the sensor sheets 81 a to 81 e for tracing detection and the dome switches 85 a to 85 e are integrated. (See FIG. 59). Refer to FIG. 41 for an operation example of the dome switch 85a.

  FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 250 ′. 59 includes an FPC board 81. The FPC board 81 detects a sliding position of the operator's finger 30a and outputs a position detection signal # S1 to provide a sheet-like sensor sheet 81a-. 81e. A key top 251 is combined on the FPC board 81 with a rubber sheet portion 82f interposed.

  The key top 251 has five key parts 86a to 86e (86d and 86e are not shown) and has a concave shape with a predetermined depth and width. For example, the key top 251 has a concave hemispherical cross shape that is dug down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing and is dug toward the other operation surface.

  The rubber sheet portion 82f is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e. The key top 251 is slid and / or pressed along the concave shape of the hemisphere. The electrode patterns for detecting the traces of the sensor sheets 81a to 81e also have the metal dome portions 511 of the dome switches 85a to 85e. The dome switch 85a or the like is turned ON, for example, by overcoming the spring-like biasing force of the metal dome portion 511 and being strongly pushed by the finger 30a or the like. When the finger 30a is released from the key top 251, the key top 251 returns and the dome switch 85a is turned off by the spring biasing force of the metal dome portion 511.

  In this example, the key part 86a is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85a during an input operation. Similarly, the key part 86b is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85b. The key part 86c is operated so as to be turned on by depressing the dome switch 85c. The key part 86d not shown in FIG. 59 is operated to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85d. Similarly, a key part 86e (not shown) is operated so as to be turned on by pressing the dome switch 85e.

  In this example, the detection region for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a by the sensor sheets 81a to 81e is set wider than the operation region for sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a by the key top 251. Yes. In this way, the sliding operation range includes the left and right operation surfaces of the operation panel 18 sandwiching the convex key top 251 and the upper and lower operation surfaces with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a. it can. The key top 251 having this shape can smoothly set the search pitch of the scroll key when searching for various kinds of information and the zoom adjustment pitch when adjusting the zoom amount of the optical lens when the camera is activated.

  Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises from one operating surface of the lower housing 11n along one circular arc shape with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a, the other operating surface In addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises along the other arc shape from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11n. A sliding operation sensation that rises in the same arc shape toward the surface can be provided. In the figure, ta is a distance between parts formed between the rubber sheet portion 82f and the sensor sheet 81a and the like, and the distance ta between parts is about 0.27 mm. By adopting such an electrode structure, the input device 250 'can be thinned.

  60 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration example of an input device 250 ″ as a modified example. An input device 250 ″ as a further modified example shown in FIG. While detecting the sliding position 30a and outputting the position detection signal # S1, the tracing operation is detected and the tracing detection signals S01 to S05 are outputted (see FIG. 44). The input device 250 ″ has a sheet-like FPC board 801, and sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ (81d ′ and 81e ′ are not shown) as shown in FIG. Dome switches 85a to 85e are disposed on the back side of the FPC board 801. A key top 251 is combined with a rubber sheet portion 82f 'on the FPC board 801. The sensor sheets 81a' to 81e 'are key tops. The sliding position to 251 is detected and a position detection signal # S1 is output.

  The key top 251 has five key parts 86a 'to 86e' and has a hemispherical inner cross-shaped concave shape having a predetermined depth and width. The key top 251 is configured to include a concave shape that is dug in the sliding direction from one operation surface of the operation panel 38 and that is dug toward the other operation surface. The rubber sheet portion 82f 'is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the sensor sheets 81a' to 81e '. The key top 251 is slid and / or pressed along the concave hemispherical cross shape.

  Also in this example, the operation panel 38 and the key top 251 constituting the lower housing 11u 'are integrally formed. In addition, the detection area for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger 30a by the sensor sheets 81a ′ to 81e ′ is set wider than the operation area for sliding operation by the operator's finger 30a by the key top 251. Yes. In this way, for the sliding operation with the operator's finger 30a, the left and right operation surfaces of the operation panel 38 sandwiching the convex key top 251 and the upper and lower operation surfaces can be included in the sliding operation range. it can.

  The FPC board 801 includes dome switches 85a to 85e that are turned on and / or off by an operation of pushing an operator's finger 30a into the key top 251. The other surface of the FPC board 801 is provided with a metal dome portion 511 that constitutes the dome switches 85a to 85e raised in a dome shape, and is inside the portion raised in the dome shape and separated by a predetermined interval. The contact electrodes on the fixed side constituting the dome switches 85a to 85e are provided at the positions. The metal dome portion 511 constitutes a movable contact electrode.

  Also in this example, the metal dome portion 511 (the upper surface of the dome-shaped portion) of the dome switches 85a to 85e below the FPC board 801 has a C shape, and the contact electrode on the fixed side of the dome switches 85a to 85e has a C-shaped portion. Wiring is performed between the open ends (see FIG. 43). Note that the metal dome portion 511 constituting the movable contact electrode of the dome switches 85a to 85e has a metal dome portion 511 ′ having a cut shape in which both end portions of the dome-shaped portion are cut as described in FIG. 42C. May be used.

  61 is a cross-sectional view of the input device 250 ″ showing an example of the relationship between the widths of the individual key parts 86a ′ to 86c ′ of the key top 251 and the widths of the dome switches 85a to 85c and the like. When the width of the key part 86a ′ of the key top 251 is α1 and the width of the dome switch 85a is β1, α1> β1 between the width α1 of the key part 86a ′ and the width β1 of the dome switch 85a. Similarly, when the width of the key part 86b ′ is α2 and the width of the dome switch 85b is β2, the distance between the width α2 of the key part 86b ′ and the width β2 of the dome switch 85b is set. Is set to α2> β2.When the width of the key part 86c ′ is α3 and the width of the dome switch 85c is β3, the width α3 of the key part 86c and the dome switch .alpha.3> .beta.3 the relationship is set between the width .beta.3 Ji 85c.

  As described above, when the relationship α1> β1 is set between the width α1 of the key part 86a ′ and the width β1 of the dome switch 85a, the key part 86a ′ is passed through the rubber sheet portion 82f ′ to the dome switch 85a. The pressing force is transmitted with good reproducibility, the metal dome portion 511 can be bent, and the on and off operations can be executed with high accuracy. Since the other key parts 86b 'to 86e' and the dome switches 85b to 85e are set in the same manner, the dome switches 85b to 85e can bend each of the metal dome portions 511, and are turned on and off. Can be executed with high accuracy.

  As described above, according to the input device 250 ′ as a modified example, the key top 251 is slid along the hemispheric inner surface horizontal single character concave shape and / or along the hemispheric inner surface vertical single character concave shape intersecting therewith. Sliding operation. Further, the dome switches 85a to 85e are turned on and / or off by the pressing operation of the key top 251. As a result, the dome switches 85a to 85e can be turned on and / or off by pressing the key top 251 after selecting the information, and can be applied to the confirmation key when determining the input.

  Therefore, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, a unique operation feeling that the cross key does not have, and the key top 251 of the shape has a scroll key search pitch for searching various information. In addition, a volume adjustment pitch such as a volume key for adjusting the volume can be set widely.

  In this example, the case where the key top 251 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11u as shown in FIGS. 57 to 61 is described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the back surface side of the lower housing 11u. Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained in the case of the above.

  FIG. 62 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an input device 260 as a twenty-sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the key tops 14 and 141 to 146 for side face arrangement having various shapes described in the first to twelfth embodiments, the operation panel 18 'of the lower housing 11v and the hemisphere A key top 252 having an inner concave shape is integrally formed.

  The input device 260 shown in FIG. 62 has a lower housing 11v with a key top having a concave shape on the inner surface of a hemisphere. The upper part of the lower housing 11v is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 'on which numeric keys "0" to "9", "*" key, "#" key and the like are arranged. ing. Each key of the operation panel 18 'has an elliptical shape. According to the lower housing 11v, the operation surface of the key top 252 is recessed in a concave shape on the inner surface of the hemisphere, unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. As the inner structure of the key top 252 of the lower housing 11v, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 50, FIG. 53, or FIG. 53B is adopted (see FIG. 50, FIG. 53, or FIG. 53B). When the pressing function by the key top 252 is applied, a pressure detection sheet member may be used for the sensor 13 instead of the capacitance sheet member.

  The lower casing 11v is shaped like, for example, a concave shape on the inner surface of the hemisphere that becomes the key top 252, numeric keys “0” to “9” that become the operation panel 18 ′, “*” key, “#” key, and the like. Resin is sealed in a mold for the lower housing, and the portion is formed in a concave shape. Thereby, the input device 260 having the key top 252 can be made to have a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11v and close to the key top 252 so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the concave shape of the hemispheric inner surface of the key top 252 is a concave shape having a predetermined depth and opening width. The key top 252 is slid along one track of the hemispheric inner concave shape and / or slid along another track crossing the track. Thereby, in addition to the sliding operation sensation that digs in an arc shape along one orbit of the concave shape of the inner surface of the hemisphere from one operating surface of the lower housing 11v with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger, A feeling of sliding operation that digs in an arc shape toward the operation surface is given, and an arc shape is formed along the other trajectory that intersects one trajectory of the concave shape of the inner surface of the hemisphere from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11v. In addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs down, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that digs in an arc shape toward the other operation surface.

  Thus, according to the input device 260 of the twenty-sixth embodiment, the operation panel 18 'of the lower housing 11v and the key top 252 having a hemispheric inner concave shape are integrally formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the input device 260 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, the input device 260 is compared with a method in which the key top 252 having a concave shape on the inner surface of the hemisphere and the operation panel including the numeric keys “0” to “9”, the “*” key, the “#” key, and the like are separately assembled. Assembling becomes easy. Further, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, and a unique operation feeling that is not found in the cross key can be obtained. Furthermore, the key top 252 having a concave shape on the inner surface of the hemisphere can be applied as a video information selection key for selecting information. For example, it is possible to realize information selection and determination operation by a slide operation in one direction or a plurality of directions of the key top 252 and an operation of pushing in the one direction.

  In this example, the case where the key top 252 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11v as shown in FIG. 62 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where it is provided on the back surface side of the lower housing 11v. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 63 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an input device 270 as a twenty-seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the key top 152 having the hemispherical concave shape described in the eighteenth embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11w and the keytop 153 having a hemispherical outer cross-shaped convex shape are integrally formed. Is.

  An input device 270 shown in FIG. 63 has a lower housing 11w with a key top having a hemispherical outer cross-like convex shape. The upper portion of the lower housing 11w is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” keys, “#” keys, and the like are arranged. Yes. According to the lower housing 11w, the operation surface of the key top 153 is raised in a cruciform shape on the outer surface of the hemisphere, unlike the key top shape shown in FIG. As for the inner structure of the key top 153 of the lower housing 11w, the structure of the sensor 13 as shown in FIG. 18, 19 or 20B is adopted (see FIG. 18, 19 or 20B).

  The lower housing 11w is shaped like, for example, a hemispherical cruciform shape serving as the key top 153, numeric keys “0” to “9” serving as the operation panel 18, “*” key, “#” key, or the like. Resin is sealed in a mold for the lower housing, and the portion is formed to have a convex shape. Thereby, the input device 270 having the key top 153 can be a sealed structure. Further, a speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided inside the lower housing 11w and close to the key top 153, so that a tactile sensation can be presented to the operator's finger 30a. ing.

  In this example, the key top 153 has a hemispherical outer surface cross-convex shape having a predetermined height and width. Gingko leaf-shaped (substantially triangular) touch marks 53a to 53d (key marks) are provided at the vertices of the crossed portion. The key top 153 is slid along one track of the hemispheric outer cross-shaped convex shape and / or slid along another track crossing the track. Further, the four touch marks 53a to 53d are individually pushed. The pushing portion is operated to push the top portion of the key top 153 in addition to the four touch marks 53a to 53d.

  Accordingly, in addition to the sliding operation feeling that rises in an arc along one trajectory of the hemispherical outer cross-shape from one operating surface of the lower housing 11w with respect to the sliding operation by the operator's finger, A feeling of sliding operation that rises in an arc shape toward the operation surface, and an arc shape along the other trajectory that intersects one trajectory of the hemispherical outer cross shape from the other operation surface of the lower housing 11w. In addition to the sliding operation sensation that rises, the sliding operation sensation that rises in an arc shape toward the other operation surface can be provided.

  Further, by pushing the four touch marks 53a to 53d and the top portion of the key top 153, vibration is propagated from the speaker 36b with an actuator function as shown in FIG. 12 to the key top 153. The tactile sensation can be presented to the person's finger.

  As described above, according to the input device 270 of the twenty-seventh embodiment, the operation panel 18 of the lower housing 11w and the key top 153 having a hemispherical outer cross-shaped convex shape are integrally formed. Therefore, it is possible to provide the input device 270 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition, compared to a method of separately assembling the hemispherical outer cross-shaped key top 153 and the operation panel comprising the numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key, etc. Assembly of 270 is simplified. In addition, it has a structure different from that of the conventional cross key, a unique operation feeling that is not found in the cross key, and the key-top 153 having a hemispherical outer cross-shaped convex shape is a video information selection key for selecting information. Can be applied as

  In this example, the case where the key top 153 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11w as shown in FIG. 63 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 153 is provided on the rear surface side of the lower housing 11w. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 64 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an input device 280 as a twenty-eighth embodiment. 64 has an optical transmission member 161 added to the input device 250 shown in FIG. 57. In this example, the input device 280 has a lower housing 11z with a hemispherical inner cross-shaped key top. The upper part of the lower casing 11z is an operation surface, and the upper operation surface has an operation panel 18 ′ on which numeric keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, “#” key and the like are arranged. ing. According to the lower housing 11z, the operation surface of the key top 251 is configured by the optical transmission member 161 around the key top 251 unlike the input device 250 shown in FIG. For the lower housing 11z, a polycarbonate (PC) resin or an ABS resin obtained by die injection molding is used.

  The optical transmission member 161 has a cylindrical ring shape having an opening 61e inside. For example, four concave and convex triangular marks 61 a to 61 d are provided on the outer peripheral edge portion of the optical transmission member 161. As the optical transmission member 161, a transparent acrylic resin obtained by injection molding is used. Of course, the optical transmission member 161 and the key top 251 may be integrally formed. The thickness is about 1.0 mm. The material is polycarbonate or the like.

  In this example, the opening 61e of the optical transmission member 161 is fitted into the outer peripheral edge of the key top 251 on the operation panel 18 '. A circuit board 17 'is mounted in the lower housing 11z. As the circuit board 17 ', a glass epoxy board having a thickness of about 1.1 mm is used. A plurality of LED elements 62 a to 62 e constituting an example of a light source are provided at a predetermined position of the circuit board 17 ′, for example, a position facing the key top 251, and the light transmission member 161 or the center of the key top 251 is provided. Light is irradiated near the part.

  For example, the LED element 62a irradiates the triangular mark 61a of the light guide member 161 with LED light, the LED element 62b irradiates the triangular mark 61b with LED light, and the LED element 62c irradiates the triangular mark 61c with LED light. The LED element 62d irradiates the triangular mark 61d with LED light. The LED element 62e is adapted to irradiate LED light near the center of the key top 251. Of course, the light sources may be combined into a single light and distributed. As the LED elements 62a to 62e, a laser diode that emits red light, a laser diode that emits green light, and a laser diode that emits blue light are used (LED light diffusion structure).

  As described above, according to the input device 280 according to the twenty-eighth embodiment, the light transmission member 161 is provided on the key top 251, and the key top 251 and its peripheral part are connected by the LED light emitted from the LED elements 62 a to 62 e. The operability of the input device 280 can be improved. Moreover, when the key top 251 shines, the design of a mobile phone to which the input device 280 is applied, an electronic device such as a video camera or a digital camera is improved, and the user's willingness to purchase can be induced. The LED light diffusion structure described above is not limited to the twenty-eighth embodiment, and may be applied to the first to twenty-seventh embodiments.

  In this example, the case where the key top 251 is provided on the front surface side of the lower housing 11z as shown in FIG. 64 has been described, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case where the key top 251 is provided on the back surface side of the lower housing 11z. Needless to say, a similar effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 65 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of the input device 290 according to the 29th embodiment. 65 applies the structure of the key top 152 of the input device 180 shown in FIG. 31 on the display unit 29 of the cellular phones 101 to 103 shown in FIGS. 1, 24 and 26. The input device 290 shown in FIG. It is a thing.

  An input device 290 shown in FIG. 65 includes a display unit 29. The input device 290 is configured by laminating the display top member 63, the sensor 13 ', and the LCD element 64 in order from the top. The display unit 29 includes a display top member 63 and an LCD element 64, and a convex key top 152 'is disposed at a predetermined position. The display unit 29 displays information input by the key top 152 '.

  The display top member 63 is assembled so as to cover the entire sensor 13 '. For the display top member 63, polycarbonate or the like having a thickness of about 1.0 mm is used. In this example, a convex portion constituting the key top 152 'is provided at a predetermined position of the display top member 63. For the sensor 13 ', a capacitance sheet member, a pressure detection sheet member, or the like is used.

  In order to improve the operability, the key top 152 ′ may be disposed at a position slightly above or below the central portion of the display unit 29, for example. The key top 152 ′ may be formed by a method of sticking to the display top member 63 or a method of integrally forming the display top member 63 and the key top 152 ′ by die injection molding a resin for the key top. The thickness is about 1.0 mm. An LCD element 64 is disposed on the back side of the sensor 13 ′, and a color liquid crystal display element having a thickness of about 1.7 mm is used as the LCD element 64.

  In this example, the key top 152 'has a hemispherical convex shape having a predetermined height and width. The key top 152 ′ is slid along one track of a hemispherical convex shape and / or slid along another track crossing the track. Of course, an icon video for selecting input information may be displayed on the display unit 29 via the LCD element 64, and the operator's finger may be slid along the icon video.

  Thus, according to the input device 290 of the 29th embodiment, the key top is positioned slightly above or below the central portion of the display unit 29 in which the display top member 63, the sensor 13 ′, and the LCD element 64 are sequentially stacked. 152 ′ is provided, and the display top member 63 and the key top 152 ′ having a hemispherical convex shape are integrally formed, or the key top 152 ′ is pasted on the display top member 63.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an input device 290 having a sealed structure rich in water resistance. In addition to the sliding operation with the finger of the operator, in addition to the sliding operation sensation rising from one display surface of the display top member 63 of the display unit 29 along one orbit of the hemispherical convex shape, A sliding operation feeling that rises in an arc shape toward the display surface of the display top member, and an arc shape along another trajectory that intersects one trajectory of the hemispherical convex shape from the other display surface of the display top member 63 In addition to the rising sliding operation feeling, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that rises in an arc shape toward the other display surface.

  As a result, the input operability of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a video camera, or a digital camera to which the input device 290 is applied is improved, and a unique operation feeling that is not found in a conventional touch panel can be obtained.

  Next, the cellular phone 101 with a tactile input function will be described. FIG. 66 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system such as the mobile phone 101 and an example of a touch feedback function thereof.

  A cellular phone 101 or the like shown in FIG. 66 is configured by mounting each function block on the circuit board 17 or the like of the lower housing 11b. In addition, the part corresponding to each part shown in FIGS. 1-13 etc. is shown with the same code | symbol. The cellular phone 101 or the like includes a control unit 15, an operation panel 18, a reception unit 21, a transmission unit 22, an antenna duplexer 23, an input device 300, a display unit 29, a power supply unit 33, a camera 34, a storage unit 35, and a ring melody. A speaker 36a and a speaker 36b with an actuator function are provided.

  In the input device 300 shown in FIG. 66, the sensor 13, the sensor sheets 81a to 81e, and the like have been described with reference to the case where the circuit board 17 and the FPC boards 81 and 801 are used in FIGS. Can be anything as long as it can distinguish between the functions of pressing and selection (selection determination). For example, an input device such as a pressure detection sheet member may be used. Preferably, the position detection information and the pressing detection information are given to the control unit 15. Any input device having a configuration may be used.

  The input device 300 is provided in a lower casing constituting the mobile phone 101 and the like, and inputs information by a sliding operation and a pushing operation by an operator's finger 30a. For example, the input device 300 detects the sliding position or pushing force of the operator's finger 30a and outputs at least the position detection signal # S1 and the pushing detection signal # S2 to the control unit 15.

  As the input device 300, the input devices 10-290 according to the first to 29th embodiments are used. For example, when the input device 250 according to the twenty-ninth embodiment is used, the input device 250 includes a sensor 13 provided in the lower housing 11u for detecting the sliding position of the operator's finger, and the sensor 13. And a key top 246 that is slid along the operation surface of the lower housing 11u. The key top 246 extends along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the lower housing 11u. A concave shape that is dug down and dug toward the other operation surface is included (see FIGS. 57 and 58).

  The control unit 15 constitutes a control system, and includes an image processing unit 26, an A / D driver 31, a CPU 32, and a memory unit 37. The A / D driver 31 is supplied with a position detection signal # S1 and a push detection signal # S2 from the input device 300. The A / D driver 31 converts an analog signal composed of the position detection signal # S1 and the push-in detection signal # S2 into digital data in order to distinguish the functions of cursoring and icon selection. In addition to this, the A / D driver 31 performs arithmetic processing on the digital data to detect whether the input is cursor input or icon selection information, and determines whether the input is cursor input or icon selection video information data D3 or position detection information D1 or push-in. The detection information D2 is supplied to the CPU 32. These calculations may be executed in the CPU 32.

  A CPU 32 is connected to the A / D driver 31. The CPU 32 controls the entire telephone set based on the system program. The storage unit 35 stores system program data for controlling the entire telephone. A RAM (not shown) is used as a work memory. When the power is turned on, the CPU 32 reads out the system program data from the storage unit 35 and develops it in the RAM, starts up the system and controls the entire mobile phone.

  For example, the CPU 32 receives position detection information D1, push detection information D2 and information data D3 (hereinafter also simply referred to as input data) from the A / D driver 31, and sends predetermined command data D to the power supply unit 33, the camera 34, Control is performed such that the data is supplied to devices such as the storage unit 35, the memory unit 37, and the video & audio processing unit 44, the reception data from the reception unit 21 is captured, and the transmission data is transferred to the transmission unit 22.

  A display unit 29 is connected to the video & audio processing unit 44, and, for example, scroll images 29a 'and 29b' corresponding to the sliding operation and pushing operation of the operator's finger 30a detected by the sensor 13 are displayed. . In this example, the CPU 32 detects the sliding operation speed of the operator's finger 30a, and changes the display pitch of the scroll images 29a ', 29b', etc. on the display unit 29 according to the sliding operation speed of the operator's finger 30a. adjust.

  When display control is performed in this manner, when the sliding operation speed of the operator's finger 30a is high at the time of information retrieval, the display pitch of the scroll image 29b 'etc. on the display unit 29 is set to be narrow. When the sliding operation speed of the finger 30a is slow, the display pitch of the scroll image 29a 'etc. on the display unit 29 can be adjusted to be set wide. Accordingly, when there are a plurality of information search targets, when the target scroll image is far from the target scroll image, the scroll image is roughly sent, and when the target scroll image is approached, the scroll image is slowly sent. It becomes like this.

  In this example, a pressure detection sheet member is used for the sensor 13, and the CPU 32 sets in advance the push detection information D2 obtained from the input device 300 in addition to adjusting the display pitch of the scroll images 29a ′ and 29b ′. The memory unit 37 is read and controlled so as to control the vibration of the speaker 36b with an actuator function based on the comparison result with the pressed determination threshold value Fth. For example, if the tactile sensations propagated from the operation surface at the pressed position of the input device 300 are A and B, the tactile sense #A indicates that the operation surface corresponding to the sliding operation of the operator's finger 30a at the sliding position has a low frequency. Further, it is obtained by changing the vibration pattern with a small amplitude to a vibration pattern with a high frequency and a large amplitude. The tactile sense #B is to change the operation surface according to the presence or absence of the pushing force of the operator's finger 30a at the sliding position from a high frequency and large amplitude vibration pattern to a low frequency and small amplitude vibration pattern. Therefore, it is obtained.

  The storage unit 35 is connected to the CPU 32 described above, for example, display information D4 for displaying the input item selection display screen three-dimensionally, and the selection position and vibration mode of the icon corresponding to the display information D4. Control information Dc and the like are stored for each display screen. The control information Dc can generate a plurality of different tactile sensations synchronized with the application (three-dimensional display and various display contents) in the display unit 29, and a plurality of specific vibration waveforms that generate the tactile sensations, and An algorithm for setting a specific haptic generation mode for each application is included. For the storage unit 35, an EEPROM, a ROM, a RAM, or the like is used.

  In this example, the CPU 32 performs display control of the display unit 29 and output control of the speaker 36b with an actuator function based on the position detection information D1, the push-in detection information D2, and the information data D3 output from the A / D driver 31. . For example, the control unit 15 reads the control information Dc from the storage unit 35 based on the position detection signal # S1 and the push-in detection signal # S2 obtained from the input device 300, accesses the memory unit 37, and has a speaker with an actuator function. Control is performed such that the vibration generation signal Sa is supplied to 36b.

  In this example, when a pressure detection sheet member is used for the sensor 13, the CPU 32 activates the tactile sense #A when detecting the indentation detection information D <b> 2 equal to or less than the depression determination threshold Fth, and then the input device 300 When the pressing detection information D2 exceeding the pressing determination threshold Fth is detected, the memory unit 37 is read and controlled so as to activate the tactile sense #B. In this way, it is possible to generate different vibration patterns in accordance with the “pressing force” of the operator's finger 30a and the like.

  A memory unit 37 is connected to the CPU 32, and vibration generation data Da is read based on the control information Dc from the CPU 32. The vibration generation data Da has an output waveform composed of a sine waveform. A video & audio processing unit 44 is connected to the memory unit 37, and each vibration generation data Da is supplied to the video & audio processing unit 44, and the vibration generation data Da is subjected to audio processing (digital / analog conversion / amplification etc.). The vibration generation signal Sout2 is supplied to the speaker 36b with an actuator function. The speaker 36b vibrates based on the vibration generation signal Sout2.

  In this example, the memory unit 37 stores a pressing determination threshold value Fth corresponding to each application. For example, the pressing determination threshold value Fth is stored in advance in a ROM or the like provided in the storage unit 35 as a trigger parameter. Under the control of the CPU 32, the storage unit 35 inputs the indentation detection information D2, compares the preset depression determination threshold Fth with the depression force F obtained from the depression detection information D2, and determines Fth ≧ F. Or, determination processing such as Fth <F is executed.

  For example, when the pressing determination threshold value Fth = 100 [gf] is set in the memory unit 37, the operation surface is vibrated based on the vibration pattern for obtaining the tactile sensation of the classic switch. When the pressing determination threshold Fth = 20 [gf] is set, the operation surface is vibrated based on the vibration pattern for obtaining the tactile sensation of the cyber switch.

  In addition to the memory unit 37, the image processing unit 26 is connected to the CPU 32, and the display information D4 for scroll-displaying the scroll images 29a ', 29b' and the like is subjected to image processing. The display information D4 after the image processing is supplied to the display unit 29. In this example, the CPU 32 controls the display unit 29 to display the scroll images 29a ', 29b', etc. in the display screen in a three-dimensional manner with a perspective in the depth direction.

  The display contents of the display unit 29 are determined by the eyes of the operator's eyes 30b, and the sound emission from the speakers 36a, 36b, etc. is determined by the sounds of the operator's ears 30c. The operation panel 18 is connected to the CPU 32 described above, and is used, for example, when manually inputting the telephone number of the other party. In addition to the icon selection screen described above, an incoming video may be displayed on the display unit 29 based on the video signal Sv.

  Also, the antenna 16 shown in FIG. 66 is connected to the antenna duplexer 23 and receives a radio wave from the other party from a base station or the like when an incoming call is received. A receiver 21 is connected to the antenna duplexer 23, receives reception data guided from the antenna 16, demodulates video and audio, and outputs the demodulated video and audio data Din to the CPU 32 and the like. The A video & audio processing unit 44 is connected to the receiving unit 21 through the CPU 32, and digital audio data is converted from digital to analog to output an audio signal Sout, or digital video data is converted from digital to analog and converted into a video signal. Sv is output.

  Connected to the video & audio processing unit 44 are a speaker 36a that constitutes a loud sound and a speaker 36b (vibrating body) that has an actuator function and constitutes a receiver. The speaker 36a is configured to ring a ringtone, a ringtone or the like based on the acoustic signal Sout1 when an incoming call is received. The speaker 36b receives the audio signal Sout2 'and expands the other party's speech 30d. The speaker 36b vibrates based on the vibration generation signal Sout2 when presenting a tactile sensation.

  In addition to the speakers 36a and 36b, the video & audio processing unit 44 is connected to a microphone 43 constituting a transmitter, and collects an operator's voice and outputs an audio signal Sin. The video & audio processing unit 44 performs analog / digital conversion on the analog audio signal Sin to be sent to the other party at the time of calling and outputs digital audio data, or analog / digital conversion of the analog video signal Sv. Digital video data is output.

  In addition to the receiving unit 21, the transmitting unit 22 is connected to the CPU 32 to modulate the video and audio data Dout and the like to be sent to the other party, and supply the modulated transmission data to the antenna 16 through the antenna duplexer 23. To be made. The antenna 16 radiates a radio wave supplied from the antenna duplexer 23 toward a base station or the like.

  In addition to the transmission unit 22, a camera 34 is connected to the CPU 32 described above, and a subject is photographed. For example, still image information and operation information are transmitted to the other party through the transmission unit 22. The camera 34 may be provided on the back side of the upper casings 11a, 11x, 11x 'and the like. The power supply unit 33 includes a battery, and includes an operation panel 18, a reception unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a display unit 29, a CPU 32, a camera 34, a storage unit 35, a memory unit 37, a video & audio processing unit 44, and an input device. 300 is supplied with DC power. In this example, the case where the memory unit 37 is provided separately from the video & audio processing unit 44 has been described, but a storage device provided in the video & audio processing unit 44 may also be used. The number of parts can be reduced.

  67A and 67B are waveform diagrams showing examples of vibration patterns related to the tactile sensations #A and #B. In both FIGS. 67A and B, the horizontal axis is time t. The vertical axis represents the amplitude Ax [V] of the vibration generation signal Sa. In this example, in the scroll images 29 a ′ and 29 b ′ displayed on the display unit 29, for example, tactile sensation #A and tactile sensation #B are given during the sliding operation of the operator's finger 30 a. In this example, a tactile sense #A is given when a sliding operation is performed by tracing over the key top 246, and a tactile sense #B is given when the key top 246 is depressed.

  A first vibration pattern Pa shown in FIG. 67A is a waveform that gives tactile sensation #A. The driving condition a of the tactile sense #A is a case where the scroll operation (sliding operation) is performed by the key top 246, and the relationship between the pressing determination threshold Fth and the pressure F is Fth ≧ F. It vibrates with a vibration pattern of frequency fx = 50 Hz, amplitude Ax = 5 μm, number of times Nx = 2 times in about 1 second in stage i. Hereinafter, it is expressed as [fx Ax Nx] = [50 5 2]. Similarly, in the second stage ii, vibration is performed with a vibration pattern of [fx Ax Nx] = [100 10 2] for about 0.1 second. When the operation surface is vibrated based on such a vibration pattern, a tactile sensation such as a jog dial switch can be obtained.

  The second vibration pattern Pb shown in FIG. 67B is a waveform that gives a sense of touch #B. The tactile sense #B driving condition b is set when the key top 246 is pushed by the information selection decision (determination) operation after the scroll operation (sliding operation) of the scroll image 29a ′ or the like by the key top 246. This is a case where the relationship between the determination threshold Fth and the applied pressure F is Fth <F. In this case, the first stage i vibrates with [fx Ax Nx] = [80 8 2] for about 0.1 second, and similarly, the second stage ii has [fx Ax Nx] for about 0.1 second. = Vibrates with a vibration pattern of [40 8 2]. As a result, the same information selection determination (determination) operation as that of the dome switch 25 can be executed. In this example, when the pressing determination threshold value Fth = 100 [gf] is set, a classic switch tactile sensation can be obtained.

  68A and 68B are diagrams showing a relationship example (part 1) between the pressing force F and the vibration pattern. In this example, a pressure detection sheet member is used for the sensor 13, and the vertical axis shown in FIG. 68A is the applied pressure F, which is obtained from the push detection signal # S2 (push detection information D2 after binarization). It is done. In FIG. 68B, the vertical axis represents the amplitude [V] of the vibration generation signal Sa. In FIGS. 68A and B, the horizontal axis is the sampling time t. Sampling time t is a timing at which the pressure F applied to the pressure detection sheet member is latched by scanning the output value of the sensor 13 with a sampling clock having a predetermined frequency.

  Generally, there is an input motion peak in button switch operation or the like. It is known that the pressing force F is about 30 [gf] to 240 [gf] when the pressing speed is as designed (operation input speed). The pressurizing force distribution waveform Ia shown in FIG. 68A reflects the pressurizing force F due to the pressing speed in the pressing direction (Z direction), which is a reference when designing the input device.

  In this example, a pressing determination threshold value Fth is set in advance for the indentation detection signal # S2 obtained from the input device 300, and the CPU 32 performs the first operation at the sampling time t11 when the rising waveform of the indentation detection signal # S2 crosses the depression determination threshold value Fth. The memory unit 37 is read and controlled so that the second vibration pattern Pb is generated at the sampling time t21 when the falling waveform of the push-in detection signal # S2 crosses the pressing determination threshold value Fth.

  In this way, when the input device 300 detects the applied pressure F as a reference at the time of the sliding operation, and when the pressing determination threshold Fth ≧ the applied pressure F is detected, the sense of touch #A can be activated. When the CPU 32 or the like detects the pressing determination threshold Fth <the pressure F, the tactile sense #B can be activated. A non-vibration blank period Tx = T1 is provided between the vibration pattern Pa and the vibration pattern Pb. This blank period Tx is made variable according to the pressing speed in the pressing direction.

  69A and 69B are diagrams showing a relationship example (part 2) between the pressing force F and the vibration pattern. In this example as well, a pressure detection sheet member is used for the sensor 13, and in FIG. 69A, the vertical axis is the applied pressure F, which is obtained from the push detection signal # S2 (push detection information D2 after binarization). It is done. In FIG. 69B, the vertical axis represents the vibration generation signal Sa (amplitude). In FIGS. 69A and B, the horizontal axis is time t.

  The pressure distribution waveform IIa shown in FIG. 69A reflects the pressure F when the scroll images 29a ', 29b', etc. are pressed during the sliding operation. Also in this example, in the same manner as in FIG. 68A, the pressing determination threshold value Fth is set in advance for the pressing detection signal # S2 obtained from the input device 300, and the CPU 32 determines that the rising waveform of the pressing detection signal # S2 is the pressing determination threshold value Fth. The memory unit 37 is read and controlled so that the vibration pattern Pa is generated at the sampling time t12 crossing and the vibration pattern Pb is generated at the sampling time t22 when the falling waveform of the push-in detection signal # S2 crosses the depression determination threshold Fth.

  In this way, the input device 300 detects the pressing force F when the scroll images 29a ′ and 29b ′ and the like are selectively pushed during the sliding operation, and the CPU 32 and the like satisfy the pressing determination threshold Fth ≧ the pressing force F. When detected, tactile sense #A can be activated, and tactile sense #B can be activated when CPU 32 or the like detects pressing determination threshold Fth <pressed force F.

  A non-vibration blank period Tx = T2 (T2 <T1) is provided between the vibration pattern Pa and the vibration pattern Pb. As a result, the tactile sense #A is transmitted during the sliding operation related to the scroll images 29a ′ and 29b ′, and the tactile sense #B is transmitted when the scroll images 29a ′ and 29b ′ and the like are selectively pushed. A certain load can be reached.

  Next, an example of information processing in the mobile phone 101 will be described. FIG. 70 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing in the mobile phone 101 or the like according to each embodiment.

  In this example, the cellular phone 101 or the like is provided with the input device 210 described in the twenty-first embodiment, and the input device 210 is provided with the sensor 13 and the key top 246. Furthermore, the display unit 29 for displaying the scroll image described in the first embodiment and the speaker 36b with the actuator function described in the second embodiment are provided. It is assumed that information is input by sliding or pressing the side operation surface.

  The mobile phone 101 or the like has a function (algorithm) for processing a waveform using, for example, the pressure F applied by the operator's finger 30a as a parameter in the same vibration mode. The CPU 32 calculates the applied pressure F from the push-in detection information D2, makes a determination corresponding to the driving conditions a and b as shown in FIG. 67A, and uses any type of the determination result within the same vibration mode. Also for input, tactile sensations #A and #B corresponding to the movement during the input operation can be generated.

  With these as information processing conditions, the CPU 32 waits for power-on in step G1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the CPU 32 detects power-on information and activates the system. The power-on information is usually generated when a clock function or the like is activated and a power switch of a sleeping mobile phone or the like is turned on.

  In step G2, the CPU 32 controls the display unit 29 to display an icon screen such as a menu. For example, the CPU 32 supplies the display information D4 to the display unit 29 and displays an icon screen such as a menu. The information processing mode is set on this icon screen. In this example, since the icon input mode or other processing modes are prepared as the information processing mode, the operator selects one of them. The icon input mode includes, for example, a scroll image selection mode.

  The scroll image selection mode refers to an operation of sliding or pressing the key top 246 on the operation surface when selecting the scroll image 29a ', 29b' or the like. The scroll image selection mode includes a telephone mode, mail creation, transmission display mode, and the like. The telephone mode includes an operation for making a call to the other party. The scroll image 29b 'includes character input items when the telephone mode is selected. The scroll images 29a 'and 29b' are input information as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the number x of selection items that can fit in one screen of the display unit 29 is not more than Max, S1 = 4 mm is set as the slide amount Sx of the key top 246. When the number x of selection items that can fit in one screen exceeds Max, S2 = 2 mm is set as the slide amount Sx of the key top 246 (see FIG. 9). Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the slide amount Sx of the key top 246 is arbitrarily set based on the length Xs of the electrical detection region (3) of the sensor 13 and the total number Ys of selection items existing in the scroll direction. (See FIG. 10).

  In step G3, the CPU 32 branches the control based on the scroll image selection mode or other processing mode. When the scroll image selection mode is set, the key top 246 is slid for scrolling the scroll images 29a 'and 29b' and so on, and the process proceeds to step G4 where the CPU 32 applies the pressure F by the sensor 13. To detect. At this time, the key top 246 slides along a concave shape that digs down from one operation surface of the lower housing 11q of the input device 210 along the sliding direction and digs up toward the other operation surface. Is done. The sensor 13 detects a pressure F at the sliding position of the operator's finger 30 a that is slid on the key top 246, and outputs a position detection signal #S 1 to the A / D driver 31. The A / D driver 31 performs A / D conversion on the position detection signal # S1, and transfers the position detection information D1 after the A / D conversion to the CPU 32.

  In step G5, the CPU 32 compares the pressing force F based on the position detection information D1 with the pressing determination threshold value Fth, and determines whether or not the relationship is F ≦ Fth. If these relationships satisfy F ≦ Fth, the process proceeds to step G6 to activate the sense of touch #A. The tactile sense #A is obtained by vibrating the operation surface based on the vibration pattern Pb corresponding to the pressure F of the operator's finger 30a by the speaker 36b with an actuator function. For example, the tactile sense #A vibrates with a vibration pattern of [fx Ax Nx] = [50 5 2] for about 0.1 second in the first stage i with respect to the frequency fx, the amplitude Ax, and the number of times Nx shown in FIG. 70A. In the second stage ii, it vibrates with a vibration pattern of [fx Ax Nx] = [100 10 2] for about 0.1 seconds. In this way, it is possible to generate different vibration patterns that match the operator's “pressing force” (driving condition a). If the relationship between the applied pressure F based on the position detection information D1 and the pressing determination threshold value Fth is not F ≦ Fth, the process proceeds to step G7 and the detection of the applied pressure F is continued.

  When an operation of pressing the key top 246 with the operator's finger 30a is performed, the process proceeds to step G7, and the CPU 32 calculates the pressure F based on the pressing detection information D2. At this time, the sensor 13 detects the pressure F at the pressing position of the operator's finger 30 a on the operation surface, and outputs a pressing detection signal #S 2 to the A / D driver 31. The A / D driver 31 performs A / D conversion on the push-in detection signal # S2, and transfers the push-in detection information D2 after the A / D conversion to the CPU 32.

  Then, the process proceeds to step G8, where the CPU 32 compares the pressing force F with the pressing determination threshold value Fth, and determines whether or not these relations satisfy F> Fth. If these relationships satisfy F> Fth, the process proceeds to step G9 to activate the sense of touch #B. The tactile sense #B is obtained by vibrating the operation surface based on the vibration pattern Pb corresponding to the pressure F of the operator's finger 30a by the speaker 36b with an actuator function. For example, tactile sensation #B vibrates with a vibration pattern of [fx Ax Nx] = [80 8 2] for about 0.1 second in the first stage i shown in FIG. It vibrates with a vibration pattern of [fx Ax Nx] = [40 8 2] for 1 second. In this way, it is possible to generate different vibration patterns in accordance with the operator's “pressing force” (driving condition (b). Note that the relationship between the pressing force F based on the position detection information D1 and the pressing determination threshold value Fth). When F> Fth is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step G12.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step G10 to confirm the input. At this time, the CPU 32 determines the input information displayed at the pressed position on the input operation surface. Then, the process proceeds to step G12. When another processing mode is selected in step G3, the process proceeds to step G11 to execute another processing mode. Other processing modes include a music playback function and a television reception function.

  After executing another processing mode, the process proceeds to step G12. In step G12, the CPU 32 makes an end determination. For example, the power-off information is detected and the information processing is terminated. If the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step G2, displays the menu screen, and repeats the above processing.

  Thus, according to the mobile phone 101 or the like to which the input device 210 with a tactile function as each embodiment is applied, the input device 300 according to the present invention is provided, so that the operator who operates the mobile phone 101 or the like In addition to the sliding operation feeling that digs down along the sliding direction from one operating surface of the side surface of the mobile phone 101 or the like, the sliding that digs up toward the other operating surface with respect to the sliding operation with the finger 30a A sense of operation can be given.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a non-rotating side jog tool or the like having an inverted structure with respect to the non-rotating side jog tool or the like of the first input device 10. In addition, since the input device 210 can be reduced in size, the sensor sheets 81a ′ to 801e can be reduced in thickness and operability can be improved, the malfunction of the mobile phone 101 and the like can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the manufacturing process can be simplified. it can.

FIG. 71 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a video camera 400 as a 30th embodiment provided with the input device according to the invention.
A video camera 400 shown in FIG. 71 constitutes another example of an electronic device, is an electronic device with a tactile input function that presents a tactile sensation to an operating body (person) at the time of information input operation, captures a subject image, and , To record the surrounding sound. The video camera 400 includes any one of the input devices 10 to 290 described in the first to twenty-ninth embodiments, and a speaker 36b with an actuator function is applied to the video camera 400. .

  The video camera 400 includes a case 402 that constitutes an exterior, and a lens barrel 403 in which a photographing optical system 404 is incorporated is provided on the upper front surface of the case 402. At the rear end of the lens barrel 403, an image sensor (not shown) that captures a subject image guided by the photographing optical system 404 is incorporated.

  Various operation switches 405 such as a power switch, a shooting start / stop switch, and a zoom switch are provided on the rear surface, top surface, and side surfaces of the case 402. On the left side surface of the case 402, a touch panel display device 401 is connected to the case 402 through a hinge 406 so as to be openable and closable, and an image captured by an image sensor (not shown) is displayed.

  The touch panel display device 401 includes, for example, the input device 290 described in the twenty-ninth embodiment and the speaker 36b with an actuator function shown in FIG. According to the input device 290 described in the twenty-ninth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 65, the display top member 63, the sensor 13 ', and the LCD element 64 are laminated in order from the top. The display unit 29 includes a display top member 63 and an LCD element 64, and a convex key top 152 'is disposed at a predetermined position. The display unit 29 displays information input by the key top 152 '.

  In order to improve operability, the key top 152 ′ is disposed, for example, slightly to the left of the central portion of the display unit 29. The key top 152 'has a hemispherical convex shape having a predetermined height and width. The key top 152 ′ is slid along one track of a hemispherical convex shape and / or slid along another track crossing the track. Of course, an icon video for selecting input information may be displayed on the display unit 29 via the LCD element 64, and the operator's finger may be slid along the icon video.

  A speaker 36b is provided in the touch panel display device 401. The speaker 36b is engaged with the lid member 1 having openings 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d at predetermined portions shown in FIG. Housing portion 6 having a bottomed cylindrical recess 5a and movably disposed in the housing portion 6 and a spring for movably supporting the yoke 5 in the housing portion 6 The springs 51 and 52, the magnet 4 fixed to the bottom of the yoke 5 movably supported in the housing portion 6, and the coil 3 having a winding shaft portion and movably disposed around the magnet 4. And what is attached to one side of the winding axis part of this coil 3 and has the diaphragm 2 clamped by the cover member 1 and the housing part 6 is used.

  In this example, when an input operation icon image displayed on the monitor display unit 29 of the touch panel display device 401 is operated with a finger, a touch sound (cyber switch operation sound) is touched on the display screen from the speaker 36b. The tactile sensation is presented to the operator's finger. With this input operation, the video camera 400 can also confirm the input of the scroll images 29 a ′ and 29 b ′ displayed on the display unit 29. In the figure, a hole 67 is an opening for leaking click sound.

  Thus, according to the video camera 400 as the 30th embodiment, since the input device 290 with a tactile function according to the present invention is provided, the display top member 63, the sensor 13 ', and the LCD element 64 are laminated in order. The key top 152 ′ is provided slightly to the left of the central portion of the display unit 29, and the display top member 63 and the key top 152 ′ having a hemispherical convex shape are integrally formed, or the key top 152 on the display top member 63. 'Is affixed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide the video camera 400 including the sealed input device 290 that is rich in water resistance. In addition to the sliding operation with the finger of the operator, in addition to the sliding operation sensation rising from one display surface of the display top member 63 of the display unit 29 along one orbit of the hemispherical convex shape, A sliding operation feeling that rises in an arc shape toward the display surface of the display top member, and an arc shape along another trajectory that intersects one trajectory of the hemispherical convex shape from the other display surface of the display top member 63 In addition to the rising sliding operation feeling, it is possible to give a sliding operation feeling that rises in an arc shape toward the other display surface. Thereby, the input operability of the video camera 400 to which the input device 290 is applied is improved, and a unique operation feeling that is not found in a conventional touch panel can be obtained.

  In the above-described example, the slide-type mobile phone 101 and the like that apply the input device with a tactile function and the video camera 400 have been described with respect to the electronic device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to the telephone 102, the two-axis hinge-type mobile telephone 103, a portable terminal device having a display screen in both the upper casing 11x and the lower casing 11y, a digital camera, and the like.

  Table 1 shows the operability evaluation results between the input devices implemented by the present inventors.

  The operability evaluation results shown in Table 1 are a summary of the operation accuracy of the input devices of the conventional example “1”, the conventional example “2”, the present invention “1”, and the present invention “2”. is there. The conventional example “1” is the case of the input device 500 having a side jog rotation switch + dome switch structure as shown in FIG. The conventional example “2” is the case of the input device 600 with a flat flat & non-rotating type key top + dome switch shown in FIG. The present invention “1” is the case of the input device 30 with the non-rotating key top + dome switch according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. The present invention “2” is the case of the non-rotating key top + dome switch + input device 40 with an actuator function according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

  With respect to these four input devices 30, 40, 500, and 600, slide operation and push operation were evaluated. In any of the evaluation methods, there are 50 subjects. Regarding the slide operation, a key-top operation was performed by placing the cursor on the target (target image) on the vertical scroll screen of the phone book application and stopping it. There are 10 items to be stopped by hitting the cursor. In this case, the number of correct answers in which the cursor was stopped at the target image by one key top operation was compared.

  Also, with regard to the push operation, the key top push-in operation is executed after the selection is completed on the vertical scroll screen of the phone book application, and the input decision (confirmation) operation is performed by turning on the dome switch. . In this case, if the selected target image is determined as it is before pressing the key top, “correct”, if a different target image is selected, or if the target image cannot be selected, it will be “incorrect”. To do. By comparing the number of correct answers for each of the conventional example “1”, the conventional example “2”, the present invention “1”, and the present invention “2”, the operation accuracy of the input device 30, 40, 500, 600 is improved. evaluated.

  According to the operability evaluation results shown in Table 1, the conventional example “1”, the conventional example “2”, the present invention “1”, and the present invention “2” are each related to the number of correct answers in 500 times. In the case of 1 ″, the slide operation is “478” and the push operation is “478”. In the case of the conventional example “2”, the slide operation is “302” and the push operation is “300”. In the case of the present invention “1”, the slide operation is “450” and the push operation is “495”. In the case of the present invention “2”, the slide operation is “468” and the push operation is “493”.

  Regarding the slide operation, the present invention “1” and the present invention “2” are slightly inferior in the number of correct answers than the conventional example “1”, but the operation reliability is improved as compared with the conventional example “2”. Regarding the push operation, both the present invention “1” and the present invention “2” have more correct answers than the conventional example “1” and the conventional example “2”, and the operation reliability is improved. According to the conventional example “1”, the key top was rotated before the jog dial was pushed in, and a failure to erroneously determine the target image that was one before and after was observed. According to the conventional example “2”, when the key top is pushed in, the corner of the key top is pushed in, and the pusher cannot push in the metal dome portion 511 accurately, and the target image cannot be selected and determined. There was a failure.

  On the other hand, the present invention “1” and “2” has a structure with a non-rotating key top + dome switch or a non-rotating key top + dome switch + actuator function. There is no erroneous determination of the target image before and after, and the pusher accurately pushes the metal dome 511, so that high operability and certainty can be realized, and the input is excellent in use. Devices 30, 40, etc. can be provided.

  The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to a digital camera, a video camera, a mobile phone, a mobile terminal device, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), a notebook PC, a home electronic device, and a remote controller thereof.

(A) And (B) is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the mobile telephone 101 provided with the input device 10 as a 1st Example which concerns on this invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the input device 10. FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of dimension setting of a protruding portion of a key top 14. 4 is a graph showing an example of detection sensitivity of the input device 10. FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of position detection of the input device 10. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an operation range of the input device 10. FIG. (A) And (B) is sectional drawing which shows the example of a setting of the slide amount Sx in the input device 10. FIG. (A)-(C) are the conceptual diagrams which show the example of operation of the input device 10. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of setting a slide amount Sx (fixed value selection) in the input device 10. 12 is a flowchart showing another setting example (setting value variable) of the slide amount Sx in the input device 10. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of the input device 20 as a 2nd Example. It is sectional drawing seen from the front which shows the structural example of the speaker 36b with an actuator function. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 30 as a 3rd Example. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration example and a function example of the input device 30 as viewed from above. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of the input device 40 as a 4th Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of the input device 50 as a 5th Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of the input device 60 as a 6th Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of the input device 70 as a 7th Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of the input device 80 as an 8th Example. (A)-(C) are the perspective views which show the external appearance example of the input device 90 as a 9th Example, and sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example. (A)-(C) are the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the structural example of the input device 100 as a 10th Example. (A)-(C) are the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the structural example of the input device 110 as an 11th Example. (A)-(C) are the perspective views and sectional drawings which show the structural example of the input device 120 as a 12th Example. (A) And (B) is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the mobile telephone 102 as a 13th Example which concerns on this invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of handling at the time of photographing of the mobile phone 102. (A) And (B) is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the mobile telephone 103 as a 14th Example which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of handling when the mobile phone 103 is viewed on a television. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 150 as a 15th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 160 as a 16th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 170 as a 17th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 180 as an 18th Example. It is a top view which shows the structural example of the FPC board | substrate 81 which mounted the electrostatic sensor sheet | seat. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an assembly example of the input device 180. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration example of an input device 180. FIG. (A) And (B) is sectional drawing which shows the operation example of the dome switch 85a etc. in the input device 180. FIG. (A) And (B) is a top view which shows the structural example of the front and back of the FPC board | substrate 801 as a modification. (A)-(E) are top views which show the example of a structure of the other pattern for the trace detection applicable to the input device 180, 180 ', etc. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the assembly example of input device 180 'as a modification. It is sectional drawing of the input device 180 'which shows the example of a relationship between the width | variety of each key parts 86a-86c of the key top 152, and the width | variety of dome switches 85a-85c. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of an internal structure of input device 180 '. (A) And (B) is sectional drawing which shows the operation example of the dome switch 85a etc. in the input device 180 '. (A)-(C) are perspective views which show the example of a shape of the metal dome part 511 which concerns on the example of an electrode and wiring cross | intersection structure. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the dome switches 85a'-85e 'in the input device 180 "as a modification. It is a top view which shows the operation example at the time of the trace detection of the input device 180 '. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the mobile telephone 104, and the example of a display of the operation screen. (A)-(D) are the state transition diagrams which show the example of a mode setting in the display part 29. FIG. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of input operation in cross JOG mode. (A) And (B) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of input operation in disk JOG mode. It is a flowchart which shows the example of automatic setting of the tracing mode in input device 180 '. (A) And (B) is the perspective view which shows the external appearance example of the input device 190 as a 19th Example, and sectional drawing which shows the example of an internal structure. (A) And (B) is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of operation of the input device 190. FIG. (A) And (B) is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the structural example of the input device 200 as a 20th Example. (A) And (B) is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the structural example of the input device 210 as a 21st Example. (A) And (B) is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show the structural example of the input device 220 as a 22nd Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 230 as a 23rd Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 240 as a 24th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 250 as a 25th Example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of input device 250 'as a modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of an internal structure of input device 250 '. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structural example of input device 250 '' as a modification. It is sectional drawing of the input device 250 '' which shows the example of a relationship between the width | variety of each key part of the key top 251 and the width | variety of a dome switch. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 260 as a 26th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 270 as a 27th Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 280 as a 28th Example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structural example of the input device 290 which concerns on a 29th Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of control systems, such as a mobile telephone 101, and the touch feedback function example. (A) And (B) is a wave form diagram which shows the example of a vibration pattern which concerns on tactile sense #A and B. FIG. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows the example of a relationship between the applied pressure F and a vibration pattern (the 1). (A) And (B) is a figure which shows the example (the 2) of a relationship between the applied pressure F and a vibration pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the example of information processing in the mobile telephone 101 etc. which concern on each Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the video camera 400 as a 30th Example provided with the input device which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the input device 500 which concerns on a prior art example. It is sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the other input device 600 which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lid member, 2 ... Diaphragm, 3 ... Coil, 4 ... Magnet, 5 ... Yoke, 6 ... Housing 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 150, 160, 170, 180, 180 ', 180 ", 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 250', 250", 260, 270, 280, 290, 300 ... input device, 11a, 11x ... upper housing, 11b, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 11h, 11i, 11j, 11k, 11m, 11n, 11o, 11p, 11q, 11r , 11 s, 11 t, 11 u, 11 v, 11 w, 11 y, 11 z... Lower housing, 13... Sensor (sensor 13), 14, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 14 , 147, 148, 149, 151, 152, 153, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253 ... key top (key top), 15 ... control unit, 16 ... Antenna 17 ... Circuit board 18, 18 ', 38 ... Operation panel 19, 82a to 82e, 191 ... Pusher, 21 ... Receiver, 22 ... Transmitter 23 ... Duplexer, 25 ... Dome switch (dome switch 25), 26 ... Image processing unit, 29 ... Display unit, 31 ... A / D driver, 32 ... CPU, 33 ..Power unit 34 ... Camera 35 ... Storage unit 36a ... Speaker 36b ... Speaker with actuator function 37 ... Memory unit 44 ... Video & audio processing unit 48, 48 , 48b ... Hinge, 51, 52 ... Spring spring, 61a-61e ... Triangular mark, 62a-62e ... LED element, 63 ... Display top member, 81, 801 ... FPC board , 81a to 81e ... sensor sheet (capacitance sheet member), 82a 'to 82e' ... projection, 85a to 85e ... dome switch, 101, 102, 103 ... mobile phone (electronic equipment) ), 400 ... Video camera (electronic device), 511 ... Metal dome, 512 ... Contact electrode on the fixed side

Claims (35)

An input device for inputting information by a sliding operation by an operating body,
A detection unit that is provided in a housing having an operation surface and includes a capacitance sheet member that detects a sliding position of the operation body and outputs a position detection signal;
An operation unit that is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit and is slid along the operation surface of the housing;
The operation unit is
Having a convex shape that rises from the one operation surface of the housing along the sliding direction and rises toward the other operation surface;
The capacitance sheet member is an input device having a switch unit that is turned on and / or off by a pushing operation of the operation body into the operation unit. The capacitance sheet member is
A sheet-like detection electrode that detects a sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal;
A part of the detection electrode is raised like a dome,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the detection electrode raised in a dome shape forms a movable contact constituting the switch unit. The capacitance sheet member is
Having a sheet-like substrate,
One surface of the substrate is provided with a sheet-like detection electrode including a portion raised in the dome shape, and a fixed contact constituting the switch portion is provided inside the portion raised in the dome shape,
The input device according to claim 2, wherein the other surface of the substrate is provided with a wiring drawn out from a fixed contact of the switch portion through a through hole. The convex shape of the operation unit provided to cover the entire surface of the detection unit is
An arc having a predetermined height and width is formed,
The operation unit is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is slid along a circular arc shape.   The input device according to claim 4, wherein a detection area in which the detection unit detects a sliding position of the operating body is set wider than an operation area in which the operating unit slides with the operating body. The convex shape of the operation unit provided to cover the entire surface of the detection unit is
A three-dimensional cross shape having a predetermined height and width is formed,
The operation unit is
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is slid along a three-dimensional cross shape and is pressed down a predetermined part. The operation unit is made of a material different from the material of the housing,
When the surface roughness of the material constituting the operation unit is A and the surface roughness of the material constituting the casing is B, A <B between the surface roughness A and the surface roughness B. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the following relationship is set.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein a vibration body that generates vibration is provided with respect to the sliding position of the operation body detected by the detection unit. A display unit for displaying a scroll image with respect to the sliding position of the operating tool detected by the detection unit;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that detects a sliding operation speed of the operating body and adjusts a display pitch of the scroll image on the display unit according to the sliding operation speed of the operating body. The capacitance sheet member is
Having a sheet-like substrate,
One surface of the substrate is provided with a sheet-like detection electrode that detects a sliding position to the operation unit and outputs a position detection signal,
The other surface of the substrate is provided with a movable contact that constitutes the switch portion raised in the dome shape, and the switch is located at a position inside the portion raised in the dome shape and separated by a predetermined interval. The input device according to claim 2, wherein a fixed contact that constitutes the unit is provided. The lower surface of the dome-shaped portion constituting the movable contact of the switch portion of the capacitance sheet member has a C shape,
The input device according to claim 10, wherein the fixed contact of the switch portion is wired through between the open ends of the C-shaped portion.   The input device according to claim 11, wherein the movable contact of the switch portion having the dome-shaped raised portion has a cut shape in which both end portions of the dome-shaped portion are cut.   The relationship of α> β is set between the width α of the operation unit and the width β of the switch unit, where α is the width of the operation unit and β is the width of the switch unit. The input device described in 1. A housing having an operation surface;
An input device that is provided in the housing and inputs information by a sliding operation by an operating body;
The input device is:
A detection unit including a capacitance sheet member provided in a housing having the operation surface and detecting a sliding position of the operation body and outputting a position detection signal;
An operation unit that is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit and that is slid along the operation surface of the housing;
The operation unit is
Containing a convex shape that rises along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing and rises toward the other operation surface,
The capacitance sheet member is an electronic device including a switch unit that is turned on and / or off by a pushing operation of the operation body into the operation unit.   The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein an operation panel constituting the housing and the operation unit are integrally formed. Provided with a numeric keypad on the operation surface of the operation panel constituting the housing,
16. The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the operation unit is integrally formed with the numeric keypad unit. A light source is provided in the housing, and an optical transmission member is provided in the operation unit.
The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein light is applied to the light guide member from a light source in the housing. A display unit for displaying information input by the operation unit;
The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the operation unit having a convex shape is disposed at a predetermined position of the display unit. An input device for inputting information by a sliding operation by an operating body,
A detection unit including a capacitance sheet member provided in a casing having an operation surface and detecting a sliding position of the operation body and outputting a position detection signal;
An operation unit that is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit and is slid along the operation surface of the housing;
The operation unit is
Having a concave shape that digs down along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing and digs toward the other operation surface;
The capacitance device is an input device having a switch unit that is turned on and / or off by a pushing operation of the operation body into the operation unit. The capacitance sheet member is
A sheet-like detection electrode that detects a sliding position of the operating body and outputs a position detection signal;
A part of the detection electrode is raised like a dome,
The input device according to claim 19, wherein a portion of the detection electrode raised in a dome shape forms a movable contact constituting the switch unit. The capacitance sheet member is
Having a sheet-like substrate,
One surface of the substrate is provided with a sheet-like detection electrode including a portion raised in the dome shape, and a fixed contact constituting the switch portion is provided inside the portion raised in the dome shape,
21. The input device according to claim 20, wherein the other surface of the substrate is provided with a wiring drawn out from a fixed contact of the switch part through a through hole. The concave shape of the operation unit provided to cover the entire surface of the detection unit is
A bottomed arc having a predetermined depth and opening width is formed,
The operation unit is
The input device according to claim 19, wherein the input device is slid along a bottomed arc shape.   23. The input device according to claim 22, wherein a detection area in which the detection unit detects a sliding position of the operation body is set wider than an operation area in which the operation unit is slid by the operation body. The concave shape of the operation unit provided to cover the entire surface of the detection unit is
A bottomed cross concave shape having a predetermined depth and opening width is formed,
The operation unit is
The input device according to claim 19, wherein the input device is slid along a bottomed cross-recess shape and is pressed down a predetermined part. The operation unit is made of a material different from the material of the housing,
When the surface roughness of the material constituting the operation unit is A and the surface roughness of the material constituting the casing is B, A <B between the surface roughness A and the surface roughness B. The input device according to claim 19, wherein the relationship is set.   The input device according to claim 19, further comprising a vibrating body that generates vibration with respect to the sliding position of the operating body detected by the detection unit. A display unit for displaying a scroll image corresponding to the sliding position of the operating tool detected by the detection unit;
The input device according to claim 19, further comprising: a control unit that detects a sliding operation speed of the operating body and adjusts a display pitch of the scroll image on the display unit according to the sliding operation speed of the operating body. The capacitance sheet member is
Having a sheet-like substrate,
One surface of the substrate is provided with a sheet-like detection electrode that detects a sliding position to the operation unit and outputs a position detection signal,
The other surface of the substrate is provided with a movable contact that constitutes the switch portion raised in the dome shape, and the switch is located at a position inside the portion raised in the dome shape and separated by a predetermined interval. The input device according to claim 19, further comprising a fixed contact constituting the unit. The lower surface of the dome-shaped portion constituting the movable contact of the switch portion of the capacitance sheet member has a C shape,
The input device according to claim 28, wherein the fixed contact of the switch portion is wired through between the open ends of the C-shaped portion.   30. The input device according to claim 29, wherein the movable contact of the switch portion having a dome-shaped raised portion has a cut shape in which both end portions of the dome-shaped portion are cut.   29. The relationship of α> β is set between the width α of the operation unit and the width β of the switch unit, where α is the width of the operation unit and β is the width of the switch unit. The input device described in 1. A housing having an operation surface;
An input device that is provided in the housing and inputs information by a sliding operation by an operating body;
The input device is:
A detection unit that is provided in the housing and includes a capacitance sheet member that detects a sliding position of the operation body and outputs a position detection signal;
An operation unit that is provided so as to cover the entire surface of the detection unit and that is slid along the operation surface of the housing;
The operation unit is
It is configured to include a concave shape that is dug along the sliding direction from one operation surface of the housing, and dug toward the other operation surface,
The capacitance sheet member is an electronic device including a switch unit that is turned on and / or off by a pushing operation of the operation body into the operation unit.   The electronic device according to claim 32, wherein an operation panel and the operation unit constituting the housing are integrally formed. Provided with a numeric keypad on the operation surface of the operation panel constituting the housing,
The electronic device according to claim 32 and 33, wherein the operation unit is formed integrally with the numeric keypad unit. A light source is provided in the housing, and an optical transmission member is provided in the operation unit.
35. The electronic device according to claim 34, wherein light is applied to the light guide member from a light source in the housing.

Images