JP2009099506A - Operating input device and electronic device equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating input device which can easily conduct a switching of many kinds of modes and has an excellent operability. <P>SOLUTION: The operating input device is provided with cross members 23X, 23Y which cross each other and can move in an extension direction of the counterpart, an operation piece 21 for moving the cross members 23X, 23Y individually and simultaneously, and a switch base board 28. On one edge portion of the cross members 23X, 23Y, there are provided sliding pieces 26X, 26Y, and conductive patterns 29X, 29Y are provided on the switch base board 28. The conductive patterns 29X, 29Y is composed of: common terminals 29Xa, 29Ya with which sliding pieces 26X, 26Y always come into contact, respectively; intermediate area terminals 29Xb, 29Yb where the sliding pieces 26X, 26Y become non-contacted, when the sliding pieces 23X, 23Y reach final areas X+e, X-e/Y+e, Y-e that become both ends of the moving range; and external terminals 29Xc, 29Yc where the sliding pieces 26X, 26Y become non-contacted, when the cross member 23X, 23Y are within standard areas X<SB>0</SB>, Y<SB>0</SB>. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input device with good operability capable of performing a signal input operation easily and smoothly, and an electronic apparatus including the operation input device.

  Conventionally, as an operation input device used for signal input of an electronic device, one in which both ends are alternately undulated by pressing one end, such as a tumbler switch, is generally well known. Only switching such as OFF or increase / decrease of volume can be performed.

  In view of this, there has been proposed a slide-type switch that includes a switch knob that can move in four directions, front, rear, left, and right, and that can selectively switch between four modes by moving the switch knob (for example, Patent Document 1). .

  Here, the slide-type switch of Patent Document 1 includes a Hall element substrate in which a square recess for arranging the switch knob is formed, and a cross-shaped opening is formed in the center of the recess, and the periphery of the opening 4 Hall elements are embedded at the locations, the switch knob has a slide shaft inserted into the cross-shaped opening and is restricted from moving in four directions following the shape of the opening, and the switch knob has four locations around the slide shaft. A magnet corresponding to the Hall element is provided.

  And according to such a switch, by moving the switch knob and bringing the magnet close to the hall element located in the moving direction, for example, a playback operation, a stop operation, a rewind operation, and a fast-forward operation are used for a video tape recorder. Can be selectively switched.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-272592

  However, the switch of Patent Document 1 can only switch between four modes, and there is a problem that it is not convenient.

  For example, in an electronic device in which a plurality of selection items are displayed as a menu screen on the display unit, when a desired selection item is selected and the process proceeds to a corresponding process, Although the cursor can be moved in the same direction by moving the knob and this can be superimposed on the desired selection item to indicate the selection item, other signals are used to perform processing corresponding to the selection item. The confirmation information of the selection item must be input by the input means.

  As such signal input means, a push-type switch function is added to the slide-type switch as in Patent Document 1, or a push-type changeover switch is arranged adjacent to the switch. However, in order to add a push-down switch function to a slide switch, the structure of the drive unit becomes complicated, and in the case where two types of switches are provided together, it can be put into practical use due to the arrangement space in a portable small electronic device. Have difficulty.

  In either case, since a three-dimensional movement operation is involved, there is a problem in operability, and in the case of a push-down type, the operation part is pressed carelessly and the device may malfunction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation input device with good operability that can easily switch between various types of modes without erroneous operation. .

In order to achieve the above object, the operation input device 2 according to the present invention includes:
First and second cross members 23X and 23Y that cross each other and are movable in the extending direction of the opponent,
An operating element 21 that allows the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y to be moved individually and simultaneously, and engages with the intersecting portion of both;
Initial position return means for returning the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y to the initial positions set within the movement ranges when the operating force on the operation element 21 is released;
A switch board 28 provided at a position facing the operation element 21 via the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y,
First and second sliders 26X and 26Y that are in sliding contact with the switch board 28 are provided at one end portions of the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y,
On the switch board 28, first and second energization patterns 29X, which detect the positions of the first and second cross members 23X, 23Y along the movement path of the first and second sliders 26X, 26Y. 29Y is provided,
The first and second energization patterns 29X and 29Y are respectively
First and second common terminals 29Xa and 29Ya that the first and second sliders 26X and 26Y always contact,
When the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y reach the end areas X + e, Xe / Y + e, and Ye which are both ends of the moving range, the first and second sliders 26X , 26Y are non-contact first and second middle band terminals 29Xb, 29Yb,
When the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y are in the reference areas X ₀ and Y ₀ including the initial position, the first and second sliders 26X and 26Y are in non-contact with each other. Outer area terminals 29Xc, 29Yc,
It is comprised from these.

In addition, the present invention provides the operation input device 2 configured as described above, the display unit 1 on which a plurality of selection items 11,. An electronic device comprising:
The control unit 4
When at least one of the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y is moved to a position deviating from the reference areas X ₀ and Y ₀ by the operation of the operation element 21 constituting the operation input device 2, the output from the operation input device 2 Based on the received signal, the identification information is added to one of the selection items 11,... Displayed on the display unit 1 corresponding to the operation direction of the operation element 21 and displayed.
When at least one of the first and second cross members 23X and 23Y is moved to the termination area X + e, Xe / Y + e, Ye, based on the signal output from the operation input device 2, It has a control circuit for performing a predetermined process corresponding to the selection item 11 to which the identification information is added.

  According to the present invention, the first and second cross members that cross each other and are movable in the extending direction of the other party are provided, and the first and second sliding members are provided at one end portions of the both cross members. A switch board on which the sliders are slidably contacted, the first and second common terminals with which the first and second sliders are always in contact, and the first and second cross members When the first and second sliders come into contact with each other at the end of the moving range, the first and second middle terminals and the first and second cross members are in the initial positions. Since the first and second energization patterns composed of the first and second outer region terminals in which the first and second sliders are not in contact with each other are provided in the reference area including The first and second sliders can be easily operated by simply moving the cross member vertically and horizontally in a plane perpendicular to the intersecting axis. 1, an electrical connection mode of the second energization pattern can be variously changed.

  For this reason, it is possible to output various electrical signals from a single operation input device and perform various processes based on the output signals.

  Further, since the first and second cross members are each returned to the initial position set within the movement range when the operating force to the operation element is released, an unintended signal is generated. It is possible to prevent the output from continuing.

  On the other hand, in the electronic apparatus provided with the operation input device according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a large number of changeover switches, the degree of freedom in design is increased, which is very useful for downsizing the entire apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a portable electronic device including an operation input device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a display unit having a predetermined screen size, and 2 denotes an operation input device having an operation element 21 that can move vertically and horizontally within a plane parallel to the display unit 1, and the display unit 1 and the operation input device 2 is conductively connected via a control unit (described later) built in the housing 3.

  The display unit 1 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and as an initial menu, selection items 11 such as “playback mode”, “recording mode”, “radio”, and “time display” are displayed as a list when the power is turned on. Are regularly listed.

  According to such an electronic device, after a desired instruction is selected from the selection items 11,... By moving the operation element 21, predetermined processing corresponding to the selection item 11 can be performed. it can. For example, when the operation element 21 of the operation input device 2 is moved right above (forward in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1), the selection item 11 corresponding to the operation direction (the selection item in the center of the upper column in FIG. 1) is displayed. The identification information is added and displayed, so that the designation of the selection item 11 is clearly indicated to the operator, and when the operator 21 is pushed in the same direction in that state, the selection item 11 to which the identification information is added is fixed. The process corresponding to the item 11 is put into execution. The identification information is, for example, information that reversely displays the character and background color of the selection item 11, or information that superimposes and displays a background color different from a mark (cursor) or others on the selection item 11.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the switch body constituting the operation input device. As is apparent from this figure, the operating element 21 has an operation knob 21b protruding from the center of the surface of the flat plate-shaped seat plate 21a. A columnar operation shaft 21c is fixed.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 denotes an open bottom cover case having an inverted concave shape in which four peripheral walls 22b are formed continuously with each side of a square top plate 22a. A square opening 22c smaller than 21 seat plates 21a is formed. Then, the operating element 21 is slidably mounted on the cover case 22, and the operating shaft 21 c is passed through the opening 22 c, and the operating shaft 21 c hits the periphery of the opening 22 c, thereby covering the cover case. The movement of the operating element 21 along the upper surface 22 (top plate 22a) is restricted. Even if the operating element 21 is moved to any position on the cover case 22, the opening 22c is shielded from the outside by the seat plate 21a, so that the appearance is not impaired and the opening 22c is not damaged. It is possible to prevent dust from entering the cover case 22.

  In FIG. 2, 23 </ b> X and 23 </ b> Y are a pair of cross members accommodated in the cover case 22. Both the cross members 23X and 23Y are in the form of strips formed of an electrical insulator, and long holes 23Xa and 23Ya are formed along the length direction of the central portions thereof. The lengths of the long holes 23Xa and 23Ya are the same as or slightly longer than one side of the opening 22c. Further, both end portions of the cross members 23X and 23Y are block-shaped slide heads 23Xb and 23Yb, and ear-shaped projecting pieces 23Xc and 23Yc are provided on both end surfaces of the slide heads 23Xb and 23Yb, respectively. Opening-type grooves 23Xd and 23Yd are formed on the upper surfaces of the slide heads 23Xb and 23Yb facing the top plate 22a.

  The cross members 23X and 23Y are overlapped in a crossed state (in the orthogonal state in this example), and extend in the extending direction of the other party (in this example, the opposite direction of the top plate 22a, the X direction and the Y direction shown in FIG. 2). It is accommodated in the cover case 22 in a state where it can be moved, and the operating shaft 21c is inserted into the long holes 23Xa and 23Ya of the both, whereby the operating element 21 is inserted into the cross members 23X and 23Y via the cover case 22. Engage with the intersection. A retainer 24 for retaining the long holes 23Xa and 23Ya is fixed to the tip of the operation shaft 21c. Although the cross members 23X and 23Y have substantially the same shape, the heights of the slide members 23Xb and 23Yb are adjusted so that the top and bottom surfaces of the slide heads 23Xb and 23Yb are positioned on the same plane. The top surfaces of 23Xb and 23Yb are in sliding contact with the back surface of the top plate 22a, and the bottom surfaces of the slide heads 23Xb and 23Yb are in sliding contact with a switch board described later.

  Here, when the operating element 21 is moved in the X direction (left-right direction) shown in FIG. 2, the one cross member 23Y extending in the X direction remains stationary because the operating shaft 21c moves in the long hole 23Ya. If only the cross member 23X extending in the Y direction is pushed by the operating shaft 21c and moved in the X direction, and the operating element 21 is moved in the Y direction (front-rear direction) shown in FIG. Only the cross member 23Y extending in the X direction moves in the Y direction while the cross member 23X extending in the direction remains stationary. Further, when the operating element 21 is moved in the diagonal direction of the top plate 22a, the two cross members 23X and 23Y can be simultaneously moved in the X and Y directions.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the cover case containing the cross member as seen from the bottom side. As is apparent from this figure, the four inner corners of the cover case 22 are formed with corner chambers 22e surrounded by the inner wall 22d bent at right angles and the peripheral wall 22b, and soft resin or rubber is formed in each corner chamber 22e. An elastic member 25 having an arrow shape formed of is pushed. In particular, the inner wall 22d is formed with a slit 22f that opposes the projecting pieces 23Xc and 23Yc formed on the cross members 23X and 23Y and allows the projecting pieces to enter the corner chamber 22e.

  The elastic member 25 functions as a load resistance that suppresses the movement of the cross members 23X and 23Y. The elastic member 25 is moved when the elastic member 25 starts to be pressed by the projecting pieces 23Xc and 23Yc. The required operating force changes abruptly. For this reason, the operator can sensuously know that the cross members 23X and 23Y are approaching the position of the end of the moving range due to a change in operating force (increase in moving resistance). In other words, the elastic force of the elastic member 25 acts on the cross members 23X and 23Y as a movement load, thereby preventing the cross members 23X and 23Y from inadvertently moving to the end of the movement range. 3 shows a state in which the cross members 23X and 23Y are at an initial position (in the center of the movement range in this example) set within the movement range. However, the cross members 23X and 23Y exert an operating force on the operation element 21. When released, the initial position returning means described later returns to the initial position shown in FIG.

  Further, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the sliders 26X and 26Y are fixed to the respective one end portions of the cross members 23X and 23Y (the bottom surfaces of the slide heads 23Xb and 23Yb). The sliders 26X, 26Y are made of a conductive member, and are formed with three claw portions 26Xa, 26Xb, 26Xc and 26Ya, 26Yb, 26Yc, respectively (see FIG. 4).

  Here, the above-mentioned initial position return means will be described. The initial position return means is configured by charging a spring 27 between the cross member 23X and the cover case 22 as shown in FIG. The spring 27 is a compression coil spring disposed in a groove 23Xd formed in the slide head 23Xb, and a guide pin 22g to be inserted into the spring 27 projects from an inner wall 22d of the cover case 22 located on the axis. FIG. 5 shows only one end of the cross member 23X, but the spring 27 is arranged on both sides of each end of the cross members 23X and 23Y as shown in FIG. 3, and both ends of the cross members 23X and 23Y are shown. Is pressed with equal pressure from both sides in the moving direction.

  Therefore, when the operating force with respect to the operation element 21 is released, the cross members 23X and 23Y return to the initial position at the center of the moving range as described above. However, the initial position may be shifted from the center position by changing the free length of each spring 27.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the operation input device according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, 28 is a switch board (in this example, a flexible wiring board: FPC) provided at a position facing the operation element 21 via a pair of cross members 23X, 23Y. Is fixed to the bottom of the cover case 22 to close the entire bottom of the cover case 22.

  Further, as apparent from FIG. 6, the cross member 23Y has substantially the same length as the inner diameter of the cover case 22, and the slide heads 23Yb at both ends are in contact with the inner surfaces of the circumferential walls 22b and 22b facing each other in the longitudinal direction. Further, the top and bottom surfaces of the slide head 23Yb are in contact with the top plate 22a and the switch substrate 28, respectively, and the vertical movement is restricted. This also applies to the other cross member 23X.

  On the other hand, as is clear from FIG. 7, the switch board 28 is provided with energization patterns 29X and 29Y corresponding to the above-described sliders 26X and 26Y (see FIG. 3). One energization pattern 29X is formed along the movement path corresponding to the slider 26X, and the other energization pattern 29Y is formed along the movement path corresponding to the slider 26Y.

  In particular, the energization patterns 29X and 29Y are each composed of three common terminals 29Xa and 29Ya, middle band terminals 29Xb and 29Yb, and outer band terminals 29Xc and 29Yc, and each of the terminals 29Xa, 29Ya to 29Xc and 29Yc is a slider 26X. , 26Y are arranged in three rows corresponding to the three claw portions 26Xa, 26Ya to 26Xc, 26Yc (see FIG. 4).

  Among these, the common terminals 29Xa and 29Ya extend in series along the moving direction of the cross members 23X and 23Y, and the sliders 26X and 26Y are always in contact with this regardless of the positions of the cross members 23X and 23Y. .

  Further, the middle terminals 29Xb and 29Yb overlap only with the intermediate portions of the common terminals 29Xa and 29Ya in the transverse direction, and the overall length is set shorter than the common terminals 29Xa and 29Ya.

Further, the outer terminals 29Xc and 29Yc are in a discontinuous form divided into _two terminal portions 29Xc ₁ , 29Xc ₂ and 29Yc ₁ , 29Yc ₂ at the intermediate portion thereof, and the common terminals 29Xa, 29Ya and the middle in the transverse direction thereof. Only the both end portions of the area terminals 29Xb and 29Yb overlap. In FIG. 7, 28a is a connector provided on the edge of the switch board 28, and the terminals 29Xa, 29Ya to 29Xc, 29Yc are connected to the connector 28a via a wiring portion 28b provided with an insulating film. .

  Next, FIG. 8 shows the positional relationship between the movement range of the cross member and the energization pattern. In FIG. 8, for convenience, the sliders 26X and 26Y are shown as linear shapes orthogonal to the terminals of the energization patterns 29X and 29Y, but the sliders 26X and 26Y are positioned on the energization patterns 29X and 29Y. Since each terminal may be intermittent, the sliders 26X and 26Y may actually be linear as shown in FIG.

Here, in FIG. 8, A is a demarcation line indicating the movement range of the cross members 23X and 23Y, and X ₀ , X + m, X-m, X + e, and X-e are one of the cross members. it represents the areas divided along the direction of movement of _{23X, Y 0, Y + m} , Y-m, Y + e, Y-e represents the area obtained by dividing along the moving direction of the other cross member 23Y .

Among them, in the reference area X ₀ of the center having a predetermined width around the initial position of the cross member 23X area, when the cross member 23X is in the reference area X ₀ is slider 26X is common terminal Only the 29Xa and the middle band terminal 29Xb are in contact with each other, and the common terminal 29Xa and the middle band terminal 29Xb are electrically connected via the slider 26X. Also, the reference area Y ₀ had a predetermined width around the initial position of the cross member 23Y region, common terminal 29Ya is the slider 26Y when the cross member 23Y is in the reference area Y ₀ and mids Only the terminal 29Yb is brought into contact, and the common terminal 29Ya and the middle band terminal 29Yb are conducted through the slider 26Y.

Meanwhile, the region adjacent to the reference area _X 0, _{Y 0} is midway area X + m, X-m and Y + m, and Y-m, the cross member 23X, the reference area _X 0 23Y including the initial position, Y When moving from ₀ to the midway areas X + m, X-m and Y + m, Y-m, all of the common terminals 29Xa, 29Ya, the middle terminals 29Xb, 29Xb, and the outer terminals 29Xc, 29Yc The sliders 26X and 26Y come into contact with each other, and the terminals 29Xa, 29Ya to 29Xc and 29Yc are conducted through the sliders 26X and 26Y. However, for the outer terminals 29Xc and 29Yc, the sliders 26X and 26Y are in contact with _{one of} the halved pair of terminal portions 29Xc ₁ and 29Xc ₂ and 29Yc ₁ and 29Yc ₂ .

Further, the end areas X + e, X-e and Y + e, Y- that are outside the midway areas X + m, X-m and Y + m, Y-m are the ends of the movement range of the cross members 23X, 23Y. e, and the cross members 23X and 23Y pass through the midway areas X + m, X-m and Y + m, Y-m to the end areas X + e, X-e and Y + e, Y-e. When moved, the sliders 26X and 26Y are not in contact with the middle band terminals 29Xb and 29Yb, and the sliders 26X and 26Y are in contact with only the common terminals 29Xa and 29Ya and the outer band terminals 29Xc and 29Yc. However, for the outer terminals 29Xc and 29Yc, the sliders 26X and 26Y are in contact with _{one of} the halved pair of terminal portions 29Xc ₁ and 29Xc ₂ and 29Yc ₁ and 29Yc ₂ .

In other words, in the entire movement range of the cross members 23X and 23Y, the range where the sliders 26X and 26Y are not in contact with the outer area terminals 29Xc and 29Yc is the reference areas X ₀ and Y ₀ and the sliders 26X and 26Y are 3 The range where all of the two terminals 29Xa, 29Ya to 29Xc, 29Yc are in contact is the midway area X + m, X-m and Y + m, Y-m, and the sliders 26X, 26Y are not in contact with the mid-range terminals 29Xb, 29Xb The ranges to be are the end areas X + e, X-e and Y + e, Y-e.

  When the cross members 23X, 23Y move from the midway areas X + m, X-m and Y + m, Y-m to the end areas X + e, X-e and Y + e, Y-e, The projecting pieces 23Xc and 23Yc shown in FIG. 3 and the like are positioned so as to press the elastic member 25, whereby the cross members 23X and 23Y are inadvertently terminated by the inertia due to the end areas X + e and X-e. And the cross member 23X only when an operation force large enough to elastically deform the elastic member 25 is exerted on the operating element 21. , 23Y can be moved to the end areas X + e, X-e and Y + e, Y-e.

  As described above, according to the operation input device 2, the contact state between the sliders 26 </ b> X and 26 </ b> Y and the energization patterns 29 </ b> X and 29 </ b> Y varies depending on the positions of the cross members 23 </ b> X and 23 </ b> Y that are changed by the operation of the operator 21. Depending on the change, various signals can be generated, and various controls can be performed based on the signals.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of an electronic device provided with the operation input device as described above. In FIG. 9, the control unit 4 (CPU) includes a main storage device 41, a control device 42, and an arithmetic device 43.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the operation input device 2 and the display unit 1 described above, the control device 42 includes, for example, a sound collection microphone 5, a sound storage unit 6, a sound output terminal 7, a radio receiver 8, a timing circuit 9, A power supply circuit 10 for power supply and the like is conductively connected, and display data and programs to be displayed on the display unit 1 are stored in the main storage device 41.

  As is clear from FIG. 10, the control device 42 has registers 42a, 42b, and 42c. Of these, the registers 42a, 42b have storage areas MX0, MX1, MX2 and MY0, MY1, MY2 corresponding to the middle band terminals 29Xb, 29Yb and the outer band terminals 29Xc, 29Yc, and the respective storage areas MX0, MX1. , MX2, and MY0, MY1, MY2, the output signal of the operation input device 2 is digitized and written. In particular, every time a signal is input to the storage areas MX0, MX1, MX2 and MY0, MY1, MY2 from the external terminals 29Xc, 29Yc, a predetermined calculation is performed by the arithmetic unit 43 based on the data stored in the registers 42a, 42b. The result is written in the register 42c as coordinate data. The circuit configuration is such that the display unit 1 is controlled based on the data stored in the register 42c. In addition, in FIG. 11, the flowchart of the control action by the control part 4 is shown.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a display pattern displayed on the display unit 1. Here, when the operation unit 21 shown in FIG. 1 is moved to the upper right (right diagonally forward) in a state where the six selection items 11 are displayed vertically and horizontally as an “initial menu” on the display unit 1, cross member 23X, 23Y, respectively right, simultaneously moving forward, the terminal portion 29Xc ₁ and midrange terminal one of the slider 26X in the position of FIG. 8 in contact with the terminal portion 29Xc ₁ of the outer zone terminal 29Xc Besides 29Xb is conductive to the common terminal 29Xa, the terminal portion 29Yc ₁ and midrange terminal 29Yb is conducted to the common terminal 29Ya other slider 26Y comes into contact with the terminal portion 29Yc ₁ of the outer zone terminal 29Yc, thereby terminal Signals are output from the units 29Xc ₁ and 29Yc ₁ , and the output signal is used as data (for example, “1” when “ON”), and the register 42 shown in FIG. For example, coordinate data (1, 1) is written in the register 42c as a calculation result by the calculation device 43, in the storage areas MX1 and MY1 of a and 42b. Accordingly, one of the selection items 11 displayed on the display unit 1 corresponding to the coordinate data (1, 1) stored in the register 42c (in this case, in the display unit 1 indicated by a thick frame in FIG. 12). The identification information is added to the selection item 11) in the upper right, and the selection item 11 is inverted, blinked, or converted into a background color.

Here, the main storage device 41 shown in FIG. 9 stores selection items 11 that cannot be displayed at a time on the display unit 1 as data as shown in FIG. 12, and has the same terminal unit (for example, two terminals). Unit 29Xc ₁ , 29Yc ₁ ), or a signal is continuously output from the same terminal unit (for example, terminal unit 29Xc ₁ , 29Yc ₁ ) twice in a fixed time. Then, the coordinate data of the register 42c is rewritten to, for example, (2, 2), and based on this, the screen of the display unit 1 is scrolled in a predetermined direction (upper right in this example), and the selection item 11 displayed on the display unit 1 is At the same time as switching to the one surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. In this state, the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the nearest area (in this example, at least one of the cross members 23X and 23Y is moved to the end areas X + e and Y + e shown in FIG. 8). When signal output from at least one of the mid-range terminals 29Xb and 29Yb is not performed, processing corresponding to the selection item 11 to which the identification information is added is executed at this point. For example, when the selection item 11 means “reproduction mode”, an audio signal stored in advance in the audio storage unit 6 shown in FIG. 9 is output to the audio output terminal 7.

  Table 1 below shows an example of data change in the registers 42 a and 42 b related to the operation of the operation input device 2.

表１において、(１)は操作入力装置２の無操作時の状態であり、このとき表示部１には図１３(ａ)のように複数の選択項目１１が羅列表示されるだけで、何れの選択項目１１にも識別情報が付加されていない。又、表１(２)は操作入力装置の操作子２１を右上に移動（クロスメンバ２３Ｘ，２３Ｙを図８に示される右上の中途エリアＸ+m，Ｙ+mに移動）させた後、同操作子２１を一定時間内に更に右上に移動（クロスメンバ２３Ｘ，２３Ｙを図８に示される右上の終着エリアＸ+e，Ｙ+eに移動）させたときのレジスタ４２ａ，４２ｂのデータ変化を表し、この場合には図１３(ｂ)のように表示部１の画面スクロールは行われず、右上に位置する選択項目１１（再生モード）に識別情報が付加表示された後、同選択項目の確定によって、これに対応する処理が実行される。

In Table 1, (1) is a state when the operation input device 2 is not operated. At this time, the display unit 1 only displays a plurality of selection items 11 as shown in FIG. No identification information is added to the selection item 11. Table 1 (2) shows that the operator 21 of the operation input device is moved to the upper right (the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the upper right middle areas X + m and Y + m shown in FIG. 8). Changes in the data in the registers 42a and 42b when the operator 21 is further moved to the upper right within a predetermined time (the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the upper right end areas X + e and Y + e shown in FIG. 8). In this case, the screen of the display unit 1 is not scrolled as shown in FIG. 13B, and after the identification information is additionally displayed on the selection item 11 (playback mode) located in the upper right, the selection item is confirmed. Thus, processing corresponding to this is executed.

  Actually, the selection items 11,... Displayed on the display unit 1 as the "initial menu" are divided into a plurality of layers, and a predetermined selection item 11 is selected from the "initial menu" and confirmed. In this case, a process of displaying a lower menu related to the selection item 11 on the display unit 1 is performed.

  For example, when the selection item 11 meaning “playback mode” is confirmed from the “initial menu”, a plurality of selection items with the song titles displayed on the display unit 1. Then, by selecting and confirming a desired one among the same operations as described above, it is possible to listen to a desired music piece through an earphone (not shown) connected to the audio output terminal 7.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the selection item 11 meaning “reproduction mode” is confirmed from the “initial menu”, a lower “number” corresponding to the reproduction mode is displayed on the display unit 1. As shown in FIG. 14B, a plurality of selection items 12 that are symbolized such as playback drive (PLAY), fast forward, and reverse are displayed in a list as “2 menu”. By selecting and confirming the selection item 12 located at the center of the column, the predetermined music is output to the audio output terminal 7 and the display on the display unit 1 displays the music title, singer name, etc. as shown in FIG. The screen is switched to a “PLAY screen” showing “.

  On the other hand, in Table 1, (3) moves the operation element 21 of the operation input device to the upper right (the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the upper right middle areas X + m and Y + m shown in FIG. 8). After maintaining the state for a certain time (for example, 1 second or longer), the operator 21 is further moved to the upper right (the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the upper right end areas X + e and Y + e shown in FIG. 8). Represents the data change of the registers 42a and 42b.

Table 1 (4) moves the operation element 21 of the operation input device to the upper right (the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the upper right middle areas X + m and Y + m shown in FIG. 8), and then the cross member. After returning 23X and 23Y to the reference areas X ₀ and Y ₀ shown in FIG. 8 within a certain period of time and moving them again to the upper right middle areas X + m and Y + m, the operator 21 is further moved to the upper right. This represents a change in data in the registers 42a and 42b when moved (the cross members 23X and 23Y are moved to the upper right end areas X + e and Y + e shown in FIG. 8).

  In the examples of Tables 1 (3) and (4), as shown in FIG. 13 (c), identification information is additionally displayed on the selection item 11 (playback mode) located on the upper right of the display unit 1, and then the upper right direction. The screen is scrolled, and after the identification information is additionally displayed as shown in FIG. 13D on the selection item 11 (album) located at the upper right of the switched screen, the selection item 11 (album) is confirmed by confirmation. A process corresponding to this is executed.

  As described above, according to the operation input device 2 according to the present invention, it is possible to easily switch a large number of modes with a simple operation by moving the operation element 21 vertically and horizontally (front and rear, left and right).

  Although the present invention has been described above, the operation input device can be applied not only to a portable electronic device but also to a stationary electronic device.

1 is a schematic front view showing an electronic apparatus equipped with an operation input device according to the present invention. Perspective exploded view of the operation input device Bottom view of operation input device The perspective view which shows the one end part of the cross member which comprises the operation input apparatus. Partial sectional view showing one end of the cross member Vertical section of operation input device Schematic plan view of the switch board constituting the operation input device Explanatory drawing showing the positional relationship between the movement range of the cross member and the energization pattern Block diagram showing a control system of an electronic device equipped with an operation input device Explanatory diagram showing the signal input system from the energization pattern to the controller Flow chart of control operation by control unit Explanatory drawing which shows the display pattern of a display part Explanatory drawing which shows the change of the selection item displayed on a display part Explanatory drawing which shows the change of the selection item displayed on a display part

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display part 11 Selection item 12 Selection item 2 Operation input device 21 Operation element 22 Cover case 23X 1st cross member 23Y 2nd cross member 26X 1st slider 26Y 2nd slider 27 Spring (initial position) Return means)
28 switch board 29X first energization pattern 29Xa first common terminal 29Xb first middle band terminal 29Xc first outer band terminal 29Y second energization pattern 29Ya second common terminal 29Yb second middle band terminal 29Yc second External area terminal X ₀ Reference area of first cross member Y ₀ Reference area of second cross member X + e, X-e End area of first cross member Y + e, Y-e Second cross member End area 4 Control section

Claims (2)

First and second cross members that cross each other and are movable in the extending direction of the opponent,
An operator that allows the first and second cross members to move individually and simultaneously, and engages a crossing portion of the two,
Initial position return means for returning the first and second cross members to the initial position set within the movement range when the operating force on the operation element is released;
A switch board provided at a position facing the operation element via the first and second cross members,
Each one end of the first and second cross members is provided with first and second sliders that are in sliding contact with the switch board,
The switch board is provided with first and second energization patterns for detecting the positions of the first and second cross members along the movement path of the first and second sliders.
The first and second energization patterns are respectively
First and second common terminals with which the first and second sliders are always in contact;
First and second mid-range terminals in which the first and second sliders are in non-contact when the first and second cross members reach an end area that is both ends of the moving range;
First and second outer terminals where the first and second sliders are in non-contact when the first and second cross members are in a reference area including the initial position;
An operation input device comprising: An electronic apparatus comprising: the operation input device according to claim 1; a display unit on which a plurality of selection items are displayed; and a control unit that is conductively connected to the operation input device and the display unit.
The controller is
Based on a signal output from the operation input device when at least one of the first and second cross members is moved to a position deviating from the reference area by operation of an operation element constituting the operation input device, Among the selection items displayed on the display unit, the identification information is added to one corresponding to the operation direction of the operation element and displayed.
When at least one of the first and second cross members is moved to the termination area, predetermined processing corresponding to the selection item to which the identification information is added is performed based on a signal output from the operation input device. An electronic device including a control circuit for performing the operation.

Images