JP2011048571A - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device which improves operability. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing device 1 includes a table part 100 and a keyboard part 300 as an auxiliary input device. A CPU 40 detects reference positions input from the operation keys 96 of the keyboard part 300, through a touch sensor panel 30. The CPU 40 allocates the positions of the operation keys 96 of the keyboard part 20 to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel 30 on the basis of the reference positions thus detected. By this, the CPU 40 generates key code information, which corresponds to the operation keys 96 pressed by a user, on the basis of coordinates information detected by the touch sensor panel 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus using a touch sensor panel capable of detecting coordinates instructed by contact or proximity of an object, and in particular, information processing provided with a keyboard unit for assisting an input operation to the touch sensor panel. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an information processing method.

  An information processing apparatus using a touch sensor panel capable of detecting coordinates instructed by contact or proximity of an object such as a user's finger has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, a user interface element such as a soft keyboard is displayed on the display panel. A plurality of users can perform input operations on the touch sensor panel superimposed on the display panel.

  On the other hand, an input assist device that assists user input to a touch sensor panel is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to Patent Literature 2, the input assisting device is provided on the side surface of the housing that houses the touch sensor panel. The input assisting device is a member in which a flat plate member made of a synthetic resin material is bent in a substantially U shape to give elasticity. A plurality of input assisting devices are provided corresponding to a plurality of button images displayed on the liquid crystal display superimposed on the touch sensor panel. Each input assisting device is provided with a contact portion at a predetermined position on the end facing the button image. The contact portion can come into contact with a region overlapping the button image of the touch sensor panel when the input assisting device is pressed and bent. According to this configuration, when the user presses the input assisting instrument, the contact portion comes into contact with the touch sensor panel, and an input operation on the touch sensor panel is performed.

JP 2006-065558 (paragraph [0018], FIG. 1) JP 2007-241367 A (paragraph [0014], FIG. 1)

  In the information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, the user performs an input operation on the soft keyboard by bringing a finger into contact with the touch sensor panel. Since the touch sensor panel is not provided with physical unevenness, the operability may be deteriorated as compared with, for example, a normal personal computer keyboard.

  Then, in order to improve the operativity with respect to the information processing apparatus of patent document 1, it considers using the input auxiliary instrument of patent document 2. FIG. Since the input assist device of Patent Document 2 is provided on the side surface portion of the housing of the touch sensor panel, it is difficult to assist the input operation for a wide area of the touch sensor panel. In addition, since a plurality of input assisting devices having a contact portion are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of button images, it is difficult to configure the input assisting device so as to be compatible with a large number provided on a soft keyboard, for example.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of improving operability.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a table unit and a keyboard unit.
The table section includes a touch sensor panel section that can detect coordinates designated by contact or proximity of an object.
The keyboard part can be placed on the touch sensor panel part.
The keyboard portion includes a plurality of movable portions having conductivity, a plurality of key top portions, and a ground connection portion.
The plurality of movable parts are placed on the touch sensor panel part and are provided so as to be movable toward and away from the touch sensor panel part, and one end of the touch sensor panel part is in contact with the touch sensor panel part. Or it can move between the 1st position which adjoined, and the 2nd position where the above-mentioned end part separated from the above-mentioned touch sensor panel part.
The plurality of key top portions are provided corresponding to the individual movable portions, and receive the pressure for moving the corresponding movable portion from the second position to the first position from the user. Communicate to the department.
The ground connection unit electrically connects the plurality of movable units to the ground.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the user can input to the touch sensor panel unit using the keyboard unit placed on the touch sensor panel unit. Thereby, the operability of the information processing apparatus can be improved.

  The keyboard portion may further include an elastic portion that returns each of the plurality of movable portions moved to the first position to the second position by an elastic force.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the pressure from the user is transmitted to the movable part at the second position. The movable part moves to the first position approaching the touch sensor panel part against the elastic force of the elastic part. Thereby, the operability of the information processing apparatus can be improved.

  The table portion may further include a contact portion that can be electrically contacted with the ground connection portion in a region other than a region where the coordinates can be detected by the touch sensor panel portion.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the keyboard unit can be grounded by placing the keyboard unit on the touch sensor panel unit such that the ground connection unit contacts the contact unit of the table unit.

  The ground connection portion may include a conductive plate that is in electrical contact with the movable portion, and a conductive portion that is interposed between the contact portion of the table portion and the conductive plate.

  The conductive portion may be a conductive elastic body.

  According to the information processing apparatus, since the conductive portion is made of a conductive elastic body, the conductive portion can be reliably brought into contact with the contact portion of the table portion, and rattling of the keyboard portion placed on the table portion can be suppressed.

  The plurality of movable parts may be formed by forming a plurality of conductive contacts on an elastic base material.

  According to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to perform input to the touch sensor panel using the keyboard unit by elastically deforming the base material on which the plurality of conductive contacts are formed.

  The keyboard portion may further include a conductive portion capable of conducting the plurality of contacts and the touch sensor panel unit between the plurality of contacts and a region where the coordinates can be detected by the touch sensor panel unit. Good.

  According to the information processing apparatus, by providing the conduction portion between the contact and the touch sensor panel, it is possible to more reliably perform input to the touch sensor panel.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a table unit having a touch sensor panel unit capable of detecting coordinates instructed by contact or proximity of an object, and a plurality of operation keys, and the touch sensor panel unit And a keyboard portion that can be placed on the keyboard.
The keyboard unit includes a reference position input unit for causing the touch sensor panel unit to detect two or more reference positions for assigning the operation key positions.
Based on the two or more reference positions of the keyboard unit detected by the touch sensor panel unit, the information processing apparatus determines the position of each operation key of the keyboard unit with respect to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit. It has a setup means for assigning.

  According to the information processing apparatus, when each operation key of the keyboard unit is operated by the user, the operation is performed by the user according to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit to which each operation key of the keyboard unit is assigned. A key code for the operation key can be generated.

  The set-up means includes the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distances from the reference positions to the respective ends of the touch sensor panel unit in the two-axis directions of the coordinate space. And determining the arrangement including the position and orientation of the keyboard part in the coordinate space, and the position of each operation key of the keyboard part with respect to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel part based on the determination result May be assigned.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the arrangement of the keyboard unit can be determined based on the arrangement information and distance information of the reference position.

  The setup means determines the position of the keyboard unit based on the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distance between the two reference positions of the two or more reference positions. It may be determined, and based on the determination result, the above-described arrangement may be determined for this keyboard portion.

  According to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to determine the arrangement of the plurality of keyboard units placed on the touch sensor panel unit, and to set up the plurality of keyboard units based on this.

The keyboard unit may include a reference position input unit for causing the touch sensor panel unit to detect three reference positions for assigning the operation key positions.
The three reference positions include two reference positions and one reference position at a position shifted in an axial direction perpendicular to a straight line connecting the two reference positions. The distance between the two reference positions is The distance may be different from at least the distance between the other two reference positions.
The setup means determines an arrangement including the position and orientation of the keyboard part in the coordinate space based on the three reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel part, and based on the determination result. You may assign the position of each said operation key of the said keyboard part with respect to the said coordinate space of the said touch sensor panel part.

  According to the information processing apparatus, the arrangement of the keyboard unit can be determined based on the three reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit.

The information processing apparatus may further include a display panel unit and display processing means.
The display panel unit is overlaid on the touch panel unit corresponding to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit.
The display processing means performs display on the display panel unit corresponding to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit based on the determination result.

  According to the information processing apparatus, display can be performed in a predetermined area of the display panel unit based on the determination result of the keyboard unit arrangement.

An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a table unit having a touch sensor panel unit capable of detecting coordinates instructed by contact or proximity of an object, a plurality of operation keys, and the touch sensor panel unit. An information processing method of an information processing apparatus having a keyboard unit that can be placed on the computer.
Two or more reference positions for assigning the position of the operation key are detected by the touch sensor panel part by a reference position input part provided in the keyboard part.
Based on the two or more reference positions of the keyboard section detected by the touch sensor panel section, the positions of the individual operation keys of the keyboard section are assigned to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel section.

  According to the information processing method, when each operation key of the keyboard unit is operated by the user, the operation is performed by the user according to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit to which the individual operation key of the keyboard unit is assigned. A key code for the operation key can be generated.

Based on the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distances from the reference positions to the respective ends of the touch sensor panel unit in the biaxial direction of the coordinate space, the coordinates You may determine the arrangement | positioning including the position and orientation of the said keyboard part in space.
Based on the determination result, the positions of the individual operation keys of the keyboard unit may be assigned to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit.

  According to the information processing method, it is possible to determine the arrangement of the keyboard unit based on the arrangement information and distance information of the reference position.

The position of the keyboard unit may be determined based on the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distance between the two reference positions of the two or more reference positions. .
Based on the determination result, the above-described arrangement may be determined for this keyboard portion.

  According to the information processing method, it is possible to determine the arrangement of the plurality of keyboard units placed on the touch sensor panel unit and set up the plurality of keyboard units based on this.

  According to the information processing apparatus and the information processing method of the present invention, operability can be improved.

It is a perspective view showing an information processor concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the keyboard part was removed from the table part. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a table part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a touch sensor panel. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the keyboard part concerning this embodiment. It is another fragmentary sectional view which shows the keyboard part of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the keyboard unit of FIG. 5 receives a key input operation from a user. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing other keyboard parts concerning this embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows a mode that the keyboard part of FIG. 8 received key input operation from a user. It is a flowchart which shows the setup procedure of a keyboard part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the keyboard part mounted in the touch sensor panel. It is another schematic diagram which shows the keyboard part mounted in the touch sensor panel. It is another flowchart which shows the setup procedure of a keyboard part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the several keyboard part mounted in the touch sensor panel. It is another schematic diagram which shows the some keyboard part mounted in the touch sensor panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display on a display panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display on the display panel at the time of starting of application software. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of a display on the display panel after the setup of a keyboard part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of information processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an information processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, an information processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a table unit 100 and a keyboard unit 300 as an input auxiliary device. The keyboard unit 300 can be placed on the touch sensor panel 30 of the table unit 100.

  In the table unit 100, a transparent touch sensor panel 30 is arranged on a display panel (display panel 20 shown in FIG. 8 and the like). As the touch sensor panel 30, a capacitive type is adopted here. The user can visually recognize the display panel through the touch sensor panel 30. The touch sensor panel 30 is surrounded by a metal frame 10 at the periphery. The peripheral edge portion of the touch sensor panel 30 is formed as thin as the thickness of the frame 10, and when the touch sensor panel 30 is held by the frame 10, no step is generated between the touch sensor panel 30 and the frame 10. It is configured. The touch sensor panel 30 detects coordinates instructed by contact or proximity of an object. Legs 11 made of a conductive material such as metal are provided on the frame 10 so as to be conductive to the frame 10. The leg portion 11 supports the table portion 100 on, for example, a floor.

  The display panel arranged below the touch sensor panel 30 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display panel displays GUI (Graphic User Interface) elements such as a keyboard and contents such as images. A circuit board for controlling the touch sensor panel 30 is disposed at the lower part of the display panel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the keyboard unit 300 is detached from the table unit 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard unit 300 is placed on the touch sensor panel 30 of the table unit 100 and is used to assist the user with input to the touch sensor panel 30. The keyboard unit 300 can be freely detached from the table unit 100 as shown in FIG. The configuration of the keyboard unit 300 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of table section]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the table unit 100.
As shown in the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a main memory 43, a radio communication processing unit 44, and an audio signal processing unit 45 via a system bus 41. And a graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 are connected. A touch sensor panel 30 is further connected to the system bus 41 via a touch sensor panel interface 47. An audio output unit 50 is connected to the audio signal processing unit 45. A display control unit 51 is connected to the graphic arithmetic processing unit 46, and the display panel 20 is connected to the display control unit 51.

  The ROM 42 is a read-only memory in which programs and data for software processing to be executed by the table unit 100 are permanently stored.

  The main memory 43 is a memory used as a work area for the CPU 40.

  The wireless communication processing unit 44 is an interface for processing bidirectional communication with an external device. Specifically, the wireless communication processing unit 44 is connected to the external device using a wireless medium such as light, radio wave, sound wave, and electromagnetic wave. To perform processing for wireless communication. Note that communication with an external device is not limited to wireless, and an interface for performing wired communication may be employed.

  The audio signal processing unit 45 generates an analog audio signal from a digital audio signal. The analog audio signal generated by the audio signal processing unit 45 is output as audio from the audio output unit 50 including a speaker or the like.

  The graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 performs arithmetic processing based on the drawing command received from the CPU 40 and outputs the generated video signal to the display control unit 51 for display on the display panel 20.

  The display control unit 51 receives the video signal from the graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 and drives the display panel 20 based on this video signal to display GUI elements and the like.

  The touch sensor panel 30 processes various commands and input data input by the user using the touch sensor panel 30. A command input from the touch sensor panel 30 by the user is supplied to the CPU 40 through the system bus 41 by the touch sensor panel interface 47.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the touch sensor panel 30. As shown in FIG.
The touch sensor panel 30 includes an oscillator 31, linear transmission electrodes 32-1 to 32-5 (sometimes collectively referred to as “transmission electrodes 32”), and linear reception electrodes 33-1 to 33-5. (Sometimes collectively referred to as "reception electrode 33"), a receiver 34, and a processor 35.

  The oscillator 31 supplies an alternating current having a predetermined frequency (for example, 100 KHz) for transmission to the transmission electrodes 32-1 to 32-5. The receiving electrodes 33-1 to 33-5 receive an alternating current from the transmitting electrodes 32-1 to 32-5 by electrostatic action. The receiver 34 receives an alternating current flowing through the reception electrodes 33-1 to 33-5. The processor 35 inputs the output of the oscillator 31, the outputs of the reception electrodes 33-1 to 33-5, and the output of the receiver 34.

  In the illustrated example, for the sake of easy understanding, the number of linear electrodes is reduced to reduce the number of the five receiving electrodes 33-1 to 33-5 and the five transmitting electrodes 32-1 to 32-5. Indicates a state in which is arranged.

  Switches 36-1 to 36-5 are provided between the oscillator 31 and the transmission electrodes 32-1 to 32-5, respectively. Further, switches 37-1 to 37-5 are provided between the receiving electrodes 33-1 to 33-5 and the receiver 34, respectively. The switches 36-1 to 36-5 and the switches 37-1 to 37-5 are turned on at a predetermined timing (for example, timing when the oscillator 31 outputs an alternating current).

  The receiver 34 includes an AM modulator 34e and an A / D converter 34d. The AM modulator 34e includes a band pass filter (BPF) 34a, an amplifier 34b, and a detector 34c. The band pass filter 34a allows only an alternating current in a predetermined frequency band to pass therethrough. The A / D converter 34d performs analog-to-digital conversion on the detection output from the AM modulator 34e.

  The reception electrodes 33-1 to 33-5 are arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the transmission electrodes 32-1 to 32-5, and each have an intersection. At each intersection, the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33 are not in contact with each other. In other words, a capacitor is formed at each intersection of the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33. Therefore, when the alternating current oscillated and output by the oscillator 31 is supplied to the transmission electrode 32, the alternating current flows through the intersection (capacitor) to the receiving electrode 33 opposed thereto by electrostatic induction. .

  That is, when the oscillator 31 applies an AC voltage to the transmission electrode 32, an AC current is generated in the reception electrode 33 based on capacitive coupling due to the capacitance of the capacitor between the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33, and the receiver 34. To be supplied.

  The receiver 34 outputs the intensity of the alternating current input through the capacitor to the processor 35 as a digital signal. The intensity of the alternating current input to the receiver 34 through the capacitor is determined by the capacitance of the capacitor. Depends only on. The capacitance of the capacitor is static and maintains a fixed value unless the transmission electrode 32 or the reception electrode 33 is deformed. Therefore, as long as the same AC voltage is applied to the transmission electrode 32, the intensity of the AC current input to the receiver 34 via the capacitor becomes a constant value.

  When a conductive object contacts or approaches the intersection of the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33, the capacitance of the capacitor at the intersection changes. A current flows through an object that is in contact with or close to it, and is electrically connected to the ground potential portion. When an AC voltage is applied to the transmitting electrode 32 side, the intensity of the AC current received by the receiving electrode 33 via the capacitor and supplied to the receiver 34 is reduced by the amount of current flowing into the ground.

  By utilizing such a phenomenon, the processor 35 uses the received signal that has been AM-modulated by the AM modulator 34e of the receiver 34 and further converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 34d, so that an intersection between the electrodes is obtained. It is determined whether or not an object having conductivity is approaching. Alternatively, the processor 35 uses the received signal to measure how close the object is (the distance between the object and the intersection). Accordingly, when an object contacts or approaches the touch sensor panel 30, the processor 35 detects this and supplies a detection signal to the CPU 40.

[Keyboard configuration]
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the keyboard unit 300 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is another partial cross-sectional view showing the keyboard unit 300.
As shown in these drawings, the keyboard unit 300 includes a housing 60 made of, for example, an insulating material and a plurality of operation keys made of a movable pin 69, a key top 72, and the like.

  The main plate portion 61 of the housing 60 is supported by the side plate portion 62 and the support portion 74 and is disposed to face the touch sensor panel 30 while being separated from the touch sensor panel 30 by a predetermined distance. The main plate portion 61 is provided with a plurality of key openings 63 for exposing the plurality of key top portions 72 individually.

  The support portion 74 is provided at a portion near the center of the quadrangle having four key openings 63 positioned in the vicinity of the main plate portion 61 as four corners. The support part 74 supports the main plate part 61 with respect to the touch sensor panel 30 by contacting the touch sensor panel 30 at the tip. In the figure, one support portion 74 is shown as a representative, but any number may be provided.

  A conductive plate 64 made of, for example, a metal material is provided in the housing 60. The conductive plate 64 is disposed at a distance from the touch sensor panel 30 at a distance that does not cause at least dielectric from the touch sensor panel 30. Specifically, the conductive plate 64 is positioned as follows. That is, the conductive plate 64 is provided with an opening 76 corresponding to the boss hole 78 of the boss portion 65. The boss hole 78 of the boss portion 65 provided in the main plate portion 61 is screwed with the screw 66 through the opening 76 of the conductive plate 64, whereby the conductive plate 64 is fixed at a predetermined position in the housing 60.

  The boss portion 65 is provided in a portion near the center of a quadrangle having four other key openings 63 arranged in the vicinity of each other of the main plate portion 61. In this sectional view, one boss 65 is shown as a representative, but any number may be provided.

  A conductive elastic body 67 made of, for example, a conductive sponge is provided on the conductive plate 64 by sticking or the like. The keyboard unit 300 is placed on the touch sensor panel 30 so that the conductive elastic body 67 contacts the frame 10 as a ground potential unit. As a result, the conductive plate 64 and the frame 10 as the ground potential portion are electrically connected via the conductive elastic body 67, and the keyboard portion 300 can be grounded. In addition, since the conductive elastic body 67 is made of an elastic material such as a conductive sponge, the conductive elastic body 67 can be reliably brought into contact with the frame 10 and can suppress the rattling of the keyboard unit 300 placed on the table unit 100.

  The conductive plate 64 is provided with a plurality of openings 68 corresponding to the plurality of key openings 63 provided in the main plate portion 61. In each of the plurality of openings 68 of the conductive plate 64, shaft portions 70 of a plurality of movable pins 69 made of, for example, a conductive material such as a metal material penetrate through the touch sensor panel 30 in the contact / separation direction. The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 70 is disposed away from the inner peripheral surface of the opening 68 of the conductive plate 64.

  Each of the plurality of movable pins 69 has a position where the distal end portion 77 is in contact with or close to the touch sensor panel 30 (referred to as a “first position”) and a position where the distal end portion 77 is separated from the touch sensor panel 30. (Referred to as “second position”). The movable pin 69 is in a second position where the tip 77 is separated from the touch sensor panel 30 before receiving a user operation.

  The second position is a position where the movable pin 69 is separated from the touch sensor panel 30 to such an extent that the capacitance of the touch sensor panel 30 does not change. On the other hand, when the movable pin 69 is operated and moved to the first position, the distal end portion 77 of the movable pin 69 comes into contact with or close to the touch sensor panel 30, and the touch sensor panel 30 corresponding thereto corresponds to a predetermined position. The capacitance changes depending on the position.

  At the other end portion of the shaft portion 70 of the movable pin 69, a head portion 73 having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion 70, the opening 68 of the conductive plate 64 and the key opening 63 of the main plate portion 61 is provided. The head portion 73 is movable in the axial direction between the main plate portion 61 and the conductive plate 64, and restricts the falling of the movable pin 69 from the opening 68 and the key opening 63 in the axial direction.

  On the outer periphery of the shaft portion 70 of each of the plurality of movable pins 69, an urging spring 71 is provided at one end so as to contact the head 73 and at the other end to contact the conductive plate 64, and is provided so as to be expandable and contractable between them. Yes. The biasing spring 71 is a coil spring made of a conductive material such as a metal material. The urging spring 71 urges the movable pin 69 in a direction away from the touch sensor panel 30 to position the movable pin 69 at the second position.

  A key top portion 72 is provided on the head 73 of each of the plurality of movable pins 69 by sticking or the like. The key top portions 72 are individually exposed through key openings 63 provided in the main plate portion 61 of the housing 60, and can receive a key input operation from the user.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 when the keyboard unit 300 receives a key input operation from the user will be described.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the keyboard unit 300 receives a key input operation from a user.
The urging spring 71 urges the movable pin 69 in a direction in which the distal end portion 77 is separated from the touch sensor panel 30 to position the movable pin 69 at the second position. The user U applies pressure to the key top portion 72 provided on the movable pin 69 in the second position. This pressure is transmitted to the movable pin 69. The movable pin 69 moves in a direction approaching the touch sensor panel 30 against the biasing (elastic force) from the biasing spring 71.

  When the movable pin 69 moves to the first position, the distal end portion 77 of the movable pin 69 contacts or approaches a position corresponding to the intersection of the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33 on the surface of the touch sensor panel 30. As a result, the capacitance of the capacitor at the intersection of the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33 changes, and a current flows through the movable pin 69. This current passes through the path of the movable pin 69, the urging spring 71, the conductive plate 64, and the conductive elastic body 67 that are conductive and in contact with each other, and is applied to the frame 10 as a ground potential portion that the conductive elastic body 67 contacts. Be guided. As a result, the intensity of the alternating current received by the receiving electrode 33 and supplied to the receiver 34 is weakened by the amount of the current flowing through the ground potential portion. In this way, coordinates are instructed to the touch sensor panel 30, and the processor 35 of the touch sensor panel 30 detects the instructed coordinates and notifies the CPU 40 of the detected coordinates.

[Other configurations of keyboard section]
The keyboard unit in the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the keyboard unit 300. Below, the other keyboard part 200 which concerns on this embodiment is shown.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another keyboard unit 200 according to the present embodiment.
In addition, in the figure and the following figures, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the thickness and the like of each member are drawn with dimensions different from the actual dimensions.

  The keyboard unit 200 includes an upper frame 80, a membrane sheet 82, a spacer sheet 83, a lower frame 84, and a conduction unit 89 held by a holder 88 provided in this order so as to face the touch sensor panel 30. Have. When the keyboard part 200 is placed on the touch sensor panel 30, the conduction part 89 held by the holder 88 contacts the surface of the touch sensor panel 30. The keyboard unit 200 further includes a plurality of operation keys 96.

  The upper frame 80 and the lower frame 84 are made of, for example, metal, and hold the membrane sheet 82 and the spacer sheet 83 in an overlapped state.

  The upper frame 80 is provided with a plurality of openings 91 corresponding to the plurality of operation keys 96 individually. The configuration of the operation key 96 will be described later. The lower frame 84 is provided with a plurality of openings 106 that individually face the plurality of openings 91 of the upper frame 80.

  A membrane sheet 82 is provided under the upper frame 80. The membrane sheet 82 is made of, for example, a PET film, and contacts and circuit patterns are printed on the back surface thereof with a conductive paste made of, for example, silver or carbon. A plurality of contacts 99 and 90 connected to each other by the circuit pattern 115 are provided on the back surface of the membrane sheet 82. Among these, the contacts 99 are individually provided corresponding to the plurality of openings 106 of the lower frame 84.

  Below the membrane sheet 82, a spacer sheet 83 made of an insulating material is provided. The spacer sheet 83 separates the membrane sheet 82 and the lower frame 84 by a predetermined distance, and maintains the insulation state between the circuit pattern 115 and the like provided on the membrane sheet 82 and the lower frame 84. The spacer sheet 83 has an opening 94 facing the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82 and a region in the vicinity thereof.

  The opening 91 of the upper frame, the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82, the opening 94 of the spacer sheet 83, and the opening 106 of the lower frame 84 are provided substantially coaxially. Therefore, the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82 is exposed to the touch sensor panel 30 side through the opening 94 of the spacer sheet 83 and the opening 106 of the lower frame 84.

  A ground connection 107 is provided on the lower frame 84. The ground connection portion 107 is deformed so that a part of the lower frame 84 made of metal protrudes toward the membrane sheet 82 side. The spacer sheet 83 is provided with an opening 108 at a portion facing the ground connection portion 107. The ground connection portion 107 is in contact with a contact 90 provided on the back surface of the membrane sheet 82 through the opening 108.

  Below the lower frame 84, a plurality of conducting portions 89 held by a holder 88 are provided. The conducting portion 89 is made of, for example, metal and has conductivity. On the other hand, the holder 88 is made of an insulating material. Each of the plurality of conductive portions 89 individually corresponds to the plurality of openings 106 of the lower frame 84. For this reason, each of the plurality of conductive portions 89 faces the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82 through the individual openings 106. The conducting portion 89 has a smaller diameter than the opening 106 of the lower frame 84 so as not to contact the lower frame 84 and is provided so as to be positioned in the opening 106. As a result, the conductive portion 89 and the lower frame 84 are in an insulated state. The lower surfaces of the conductive portion 89 and the holder 88 are configured without a step, and can be placed on the surface of the touch sensor panel 30.

  The membrane sheet 82 receives a pressure from a user operation and receives a position where the contact 99 comes into contact with the conducting portion 89 (referred to as a “first position”) and a position where the contact 99 is separated from the conducting portion 89 (“ It will be referred to as a “second position”). Before the operation key 96 receives a user operation, the membrane sheet 82 is in the second position where the contact 99 is separated from the conducting portion 89.

  The second position is a position where the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82 is separated from the conductive portion 89 placed on the touch sensor panel 30 to such an extent that the capacitance of the touch sensor panel 30 does not change. On the other hand, when the membrane sheet 82 receives the pressure by the user operation and the contact 99 moves to the first position, the contact 99 comes into contact with the conduction portion 89, and at a predetermined position of the touch sensor panel 30 corresponding thereto. The capacitance changes.

  Next, the plurality of operation keys 96 provided on the upper frame 80 will be described. Each of the plurality of operation keys 96 includes a key top portion 97, a pantograph portion 98, and a cup portion 86.

  The cup part 86 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber, and includes a dome part 92, a pressing protrusion 95, and a cylindrical part 93.

  The dome portion 92 can be elastically deformed by receiving pressure from the outside. The dome portion 92 is provided on the upper frame 80 by sticking or the like so that the end portion opened in a substantially circular shape faces the opening 91 of the upper frame 80.

  The pressing protrusion 95 is provided at the most bulged portion of the dome portion 92 so as to protrude toward the hollow side. The front end of the pressing protrusion 95 faces the membrane sheet 82 through the opening 91 of the upper frame 80. A contact point 99 is provided on the back surface of the portion of the membrane sheet 82 that faces the pressing protrusion 95.

  The cylindrical portion 93 is provided on the top of the dome portion 92 and protrudes in the bulging direction of the dome portion 92. A key top portion 97 capable of receiving a key input operation from the user is provided at the tip of the cylindrical portion 93.

  The pantograph unit 98 includes two sets of two leg portions 101 and 102 that intersect each other. Since the two sets of legs 101 and 102 have the same configuration, one set of the legs 101 and 102 is shown in the drawing, and the one set of legs 101 and 102 will be described in the following description.

  The pair of leg portions 101 and 102 intersect with each other, and are pivotally connected by a pivot shaft 103 at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of each leg portion 101 and 102.

  One end portion 110 of the leg portion 101 is rotatably supported by a support portion 104 having a shaft hole of the key top portion 97. The other end 111 of the leg 101 is disposed on the upper frame 80. The other end portion 111 can move in a substantially horizontal direction on the upper frame 80 as the leg portion 101 pivots about the pivot shaft 103.

  One end 112 of the leg 102 is supported by a groove 105 provided in the key top 97. The one end portion 112 can move in a substantially horizontal direction in the groove portion 105 as the leg portion 102 rotates with the pivot shaft 103 as a fulcrum. The other end 113 of the leg 102 is disposed on the upper frame 80. The other end 113 can be rotated on the upper frame 80 as the leg 102 rotates with the pivot shaft 103 as a fulcrum.

  The key top portion 97 elastically deforms the dome portion 92 by receiving a pressure from the user for moving the corresponding column portion 93 of the cup portion 86 in the direction of contact / separation with respect to the touch sensor panel 30. When the dome portion 92 is elastically deformed, the pressing protrusion 95 moves to the opening side of the dome portion 92. On the other hand, the leg portions 101 and 102 rotate with respect to each other about the pivot shaft 103 when the key top portion 97 moves in the contact / separation direction with respect to the touch sensor panel 30.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 when the keyboard unit 200 receives a key input operation from the user will be described.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the keyboard unit 200 has received a key input operation from a user.
When the membrane sheet 82 is in the second position, the user U applies pressure to the key top portion 97. This pressure is transmitted to the cylindrical portion 93 of the cup portion 86. Under the pressure, the dome portion 92 of the cup portion 86 is elastically deformed. The pressing protrusion 95 provided inside the dome 92 moves in a direction approaching the membrane sheet 82 and pushes down the membrane sheet 82.

  When the pressing protrusion 95 further presses down the membrane sheet 82, the membrane sheet 82 moves to the first position, and the contact 99 contacts the conduction portion 89. As a result, the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82 and the touch sensor panel 30 are conducted through the conducting portion 89. As a result, the capacitance of the capacitor at the intersection of the transmission electrode 32 and the reception electrode 33 of the touch sensor panel 30 located corresponding to the conduction portion 89 changes, and a current flows through the conduction portion 89.

  The current that has flowed to the conduction portion 89 flows to the lower frame 84 through a path of the conduction portion 89 that conducts to each other, the contact 99 of the membrane sheet 82, the circuit pattern and contact 90, and the ground connection portion 107. As a result, the intensity of the alternating current received by the receiving electrode 33 and supplied to the receiver 34 is weakened by the amount of current discharged to the lower frame 84. In this way, coordinates are instructed to the touch sensor panel 30, and the processor 35 of the touch sensor panel 30 detects the instructed coordinates and notifies the CPU 40 of the detected coordinates.

  In the keyboard unit 300, the conductive plate 64 and the frame 10 as the ground potential unit are electrically connected via the conductive elastic body 67, and the keyboard unit 300 is grounded. On the other hand, the keyboard unit 200 employs a configuration in which a current is passed to the lower frame 84 through the ground connection unit 107 and the like, and the same effect as that of physical grounding is obtained. That is, if the lower frame 84 is sufficiently large, there is no need to conduct to the frame 10 as the ground potential portion.

<Operation of information processing apparatus>
In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 1 may include any of the keyboard units 200 and 300. However, in the following description, the information processing apparatus 1 is described as including the keyboard unit 200.

[Keyboard setup]
A setup method of the keyboard unit 200 placed on the surface of the touch sensor panel 30 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a substantially rectangular touch sensor panel 30 having a size that is sufficiently large with respect to the size of the substantially rectangular keyboard portion 200, for example, a size that allows at least two keyboard portions 200 to be arranged in the respective directions of the two axes. Shall be used.

  First, the keyboard unit 200 is placed at an arbitrary position on the touch sensor panel 30 by the user. At this time, the keyboard unit 200 is generally disposed at a position closer to the user on the touch sensor panel 30.

  Thereafter, the user inputs a setup command for the keyboard unit 200. The setup command is input as follows, for example.

  When the information processing apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU 40 receives various commands from the user on the display panel 20 provided corresponding to the touch sensor panel 30 based on a program stored in the main memory 43, for example. Display a menu screen. This menu screen includes a button for accepting a setup command and setup conditions for the keyboard unit 200. When a setup command and setup conditions are input from the user by operating this button, the CPU 40 executes setup processing of the keyboard unit 200. Here, the setup condition includes information such as the upper limit number of keyboard units 200 to be set up. The menu screen further includes a message that prompts the user to press two predetermined operation keys 96 of the keyboard unit 200. The two predetermined operation keys 96 serve as a reference position input unit for inputting the reference position of the keyboard unit 200 to the information processing apparatus 1 through the touch sensor panel 30. The predetermined two operation keys 96 may be, for example, the two operation keys 96 at the left and right ends of the user-oriented operation keys 96 arranged along one end of the substantially rectangular keyboard unit 200. . However, two different operation keys 96 may be used, and the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a setup procedure of the keyboard unit 200 in this case.
First, a case will be described in which “1” is designated as the upper limit number of the keyboard unit 200 to be set up and a setup command is input by the user.

  When the operation key 96 is pressed by the user, the processor 35 of the touch sensor panel 30 detects contact or proximity of the operation key 96 to the touch sensor panel 30. The CPU 40 acquires the coordinate information of the touch sensor panel 30 in which the operation key 96 touches or approaches from the processor 35 through the system bus 41 by the touch sensor panel interface 47. Based on the coordinate information, the CPU 40 determines the position and orientation of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30 as follows. Here, the position and orientation of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30 are collectively referred to as “arrangement”.

  First, the CPU 40 determines the significance of the coordinate information of the two points based on the time difference of the input of the coordinate information of the two points (step S101). For example, the CPU 40 obtains the time difference between the input timings of the first input coordinate information and the next input coordinate information, and when this time difference is within a predetermined time difference, the coordinate information of two points Is significant information in the setup. Further, when the time difference is longer than the predetermined time difference, the CPU 40 determines that the coordinate information of the two points is information that is useless in the setup, notifies the user through the display panel 20 or the like, and performs the process of step S101. Is repeated (No in step S101).

  When the CPU 40 determines that the input coordinate information of the two points is significant information (Yes in step S101), the coordinate information of the two points and 2 of the touch sensor panel 30 having a substantially rectangular shape from the two points. Based on the distance information to each side in the axial direction, the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 is determined. The detection of the points and sides and the determination of the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 are performed as follows, for example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the keyboard unit 200 placed on the touch sensor panel 30.
For example, when the keyboard unit 200 is placed on the touch sensor panel 30 as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 40 determines that the coordinate information of the points A and B is significant information (Yes in step S101). ).

  The CPU 40 obtains the distance between the point A and each side of the touch sensor panel 30 in the biaxial direction based on the coordinate information of the point A. The CPU 40 determines one side of the touch sensor panel 30 that minimizes the distance to the point A based on distance information between the point A and each side of the touch sensor panel 30 in the biaxial direction (step S102). One side of the touch sensor panel 30 having the minimum distance to the point A is referred to as “side a”.

  Next, the CPU 40 obtains the distance between the point B and each side of the touch sensor panel 30 in the biaxial direction based on the coordinate information of the point B. The CPU 40 determines one side of the touch sensor panel 30 that minimizes the distance to the point B based on distance information between the point B and each side in the biaxial direction of the touch sensor panel 30 (step S103). One side of the touch sensor panel 30 having the minimum distance to the point B is referred to as “side b”.

Next, the CPU 40 determines whether or not the sides a and b are the same side (step S104).
For example, in the case shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 40 determines that the sides a and b are the same side (Yes in step S104). When the CPU 40 determines that the sides a and b are the same side, one side closer to the user of the keyboard unit 200 is arranged along the straight line connecting the points A and B, and the sides a and b are arranged with respect to the straight line. It is determined that the keyboard unit 200 is arranged on the side opposite to the side where it is located (step S105).

FIG. 12 is another schematic diagram showing the keyboard unit 200 placed on the touch sensor panel 30.
On the other hand, when the keyboard unit 200 is placed on the touch sensor panel 30 as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 40 determines that the sides a and b are different (No in step S104). When the CPU 40 determines that the sides a and b are different sides, one side closer to the user of the keyboard unit 200 is arranged along a straight line connecting the points A and B, and the sides of the sides a and b are arranged with respect to the straight line. It is determined that the keyboard unit 200 is arranged on the side opposite to the side where the intersection is located (step S106). Here, the information on the position and orientation of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30 is collectively referred to as “arrangement information”.

  When determining the layout of the keyboard unit 200 in step S105 or step S106, the CPU 40 assigns the individual operation keys 96 of the keyboard unit 200 to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel 30 based on the layout information of the keyboard unit 200. Specifically, the CPU 40 creates a correspondence table indicating the correspondence between each operation key 96 of the keyboard unit 200 and the coordinates of the touch sensor panel 30. Here, the correspondence table is a table in which, for each key code assigned in advance to the operation key 96 of the keyboard unit 200, which coordinate space in the two-dimensional region detectable by the touch sensor panel 30 is registered. is there. Thereafter, the CPU 40 stores the created correspondence table in the main memory 43 (step S107) and ends the process. Thereby, the CPU 40 can generate a key code corresponding to the operation key 96 pressed by the user based on the coordinate information detected by the touch sensor panel 30 by referring to the correspondence table.

  Note that, when another keyboard unit 200 is newly set up in the information processing apparatus 1 in which the setup of the keyboard unit 200 has already been completed, the keyboard unit 200 can be set up in the same procedure as described above.

FIG. 13 is another flowchart showing the setup procedure of the keyboard unit 200.
Here, a case will be described in which “2” or more is designated as the upper limit number of keyboard units 200 to be set up and a setup command is input by the user.

  When the operation key 96 is pressed by the user, the processor 35 of the touch sensor panel 30 detects contact or proximity of the operation key 96 to the touch sensor panel 30. The CPU 40 acquires the coordinate information of the touch sensor panel 30 in which the operation key 96 touches or approaches from the processor 35 through the system bus 41 by the touch sensor panel interface 47. Based on this coordinate information, the CPU 40 determines the arrangement of the plurality of keyboard units 200 on the touch sensor panel 30 as follows.

  First, the CPU 40 determines the significance of the coordinate information of two or more points based on the input time difference of the coordinate information of two or more points (step S201). For example, the CPU 40 obtains a time difference between the input timings of the first input coordinate information and the subsequently input coordinate information, and if this time difference is within a predetermined time difference, the coordinate information of two or more points Is significant information in the setup. If the time difference is longer than the predetermined time difference, the CPU 40 determines that the coordinate information of two or more points is useless information in the setup, notifies the user through the display panel 20, and performs the process of step S201. Is repeated (No in step S201).

  When the CPU 40 determines that the input coordinate information of two or more points is significant information (Yes in step S201), the coordinate information of two or more points and 2 of each of the two or more points. Based on the distance information between the points, the arrangement of the plurality of keyboard parts 200 is determined as follows. First, the CPU 40 obtains distance information between two points of two or more points determined to be significant (step S202).

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of keyboard units 200 placed on the touch sensor panel 30.
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when two keyboard units 200 are placed on the touch sensor panel 30, the CPU 40 has significant information on coordinate information of a total of four points C, D, E, and F. It is determined that there is (Yes in step S201). The CPU 40 obtains the distance between the two points based on the coordinate information of the points C, D, E, and F. More specifically, the CPU 40 obtains each distance between CD, CE, CF, DE, DF, and EF based on the coordinate information of the points C, D, E, and F (step S202).

  Next, the CPU 40 determines whether or not each distance between the two points is a predetermined distance d based on the distance information between the two points (step S203). Here, the predetermined distance d is a distance between reference positions input to the touch sensor panel 30 by a predetermined operation key 96 of one keyboard unit 200. The predetermined operation keys 96 are, for example, two operation keys 96 at the left and right ends of a row of operation keys 96 closer to the user arranged along one end of the substantially rectangular keyboard portion 200. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 40 determines the distances between CD, CE, CF, DE, DF, and EF based on the distance information between CDs, CE, CF, DE, DF, and EF. Are respectively determined to be a predetermined distance d (step S203).

  For example, in the case shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 40 compares the distance information between the CD, CE, CF, DE, DF, and EF with the predetermined distance d, and compares each distance between the CD, DE, DF, and EF. It is determined that each distance is a predetermined distance d. Note that the CPU 40 repeats the processing from step S201 to step S203 until it determines a pair of two points having the predetermined distance d (No in step S203).

  The CPU 40 determines the number of pairs of two points that are the predetermined distance d (step S204). When the CPU 40 determines that the number of pairs of two points having the predetermined distance d is one pair (No in step S204), the number of keyboard units 200 placed on the touch sensor panel 30 is one. judge. The CPU 40 performs the processing from step S102 to step S107, and sets up the keyboard unit 200, with the two point pairs having the predetermined distance d as the two points input by the two operation keys 96 of the one keyboard unit 200. (Step S205). Next, the CPU 40 determines whether there is coordinate information determined to be significant other than the two points input by the keyboard unit that has been set up (step S207). When there is other coordinate information whose significance is determined (Yes in step S207), the CPU 40 repeatedly performs the processing from step S204. On the other hand, if there is no other coordinate information determined to be significant (No in step S207), the CPU 40 ends the setup process of the keyboard unit 200.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 40 determines in step S204 that the number of pairs of two points having the predetermined distance d is two pairs or more (Yes in step S204), the number of keyboard units 200 placed on the touch sensor panel 30. Is determined to be 2 or more. Next, the CPU 40 determines whether or not there is a point at which the pair of points having the predetermined distance d is determined as one point (step S206), and identifies one keyboard unit 200 by the pair of points.

  For example, in the case shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 40 determines that the pair of points at the predetermined distance d is CD, DE, DF, and EF, so that the pair of points at the predetermined distance d is two or more pairs. (Yes in step S204). Next, based on the coordinate information of the points C, D, E, and F, the CPU 40 has only one point D that is paired with the point C among the CD, DE, DF, and EF pairs. Is determined. On the other hand, the points paired with the point D are points C and E, and are not determined as one point. The points paired with the point E are points D and F, and are not determined as one point. The points paired with the point F are points D and E, and are not determined as one point. If the CPU 40 determines based on the coordinate information of the points C, D, E, and F that only the point D is paired with the point C (Yes in step S206), the points C and D are one keyboard unit. It is determined that the two points are input by the two operation keys 96. The CPU 40 performs the processing from step S102 to step S107 by setting the points C and D as the two points input by the two operation keys 96 of the one keyboard unit 200, and sets up the one keyboard unit 200 (steps). S205).

  Next, the CPU 40 determines whether there is coordinate information determined to be significant in addition to the two points input by the two operation keys 96 of the keyboard unit 200 that has been set up (step S207). When there is other coordinate information whose significance is determined (Yes in step S207), the CPU 40 repeatedly performs the processing from step S204. On the other hand, if there is no other coordinate information determined to be significant (No in step S207), the CPU 40 ends the setup process of the keyboard unit 200.

  For example, in the case shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 40 determines whether there is coordinate information whose significance is determined in addition to the points C and D. The CPU 40 determines that there are points E and F having the coordinate information determined to be significant (Yes in step S207), and repeats the processing from step S204.

  On the other hand, the CPU 40 may determine that there is no point at which the pair of points having the predetermined distance d is determined as one point in step S206 (No in step S206).

FIG. 15 is another schematic diagram showing a plurality of keyboard units 200 placed on the touch sensor panel 30.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when two keyboard parts 200 are placed on the touch sensor panel 30, the CPU 40 determines the distance between the two points based on the coordinate information of the points G, H, I, and J. Based on this distance information, it is determined whether the distance between each two points is a predetermined distance d. The CPU 40 determines that the pair of points at the predetermined distance d is GH, GI, HJ, IJ, and the pair of points at the predetermined distance d is two or more (Yes in step S204). Next, based on the coordinate information of the points G, H, I, and J, the CPU 40 determines whether or not there is a point in which a pair of points having a predetermined distance d is determined as one point among the pairs of GH, GI, HJ, and IJ. Determination is made (step S206). Here, the points paired with the point G are points H and I, and are not determined as one point. The points paired with the point H are points G and J, and are not determined to be one point. The points paired with the point I are points G and J, and are not determined to be one point. The points paired with the point J are points H and I, and are not determined as one point. Therefore, the CPU 40 determines based on the coordinate information of the points G, H, I, and J that there is no point in which the point pair having the predetermined distance d is determined as one point among the GH, GI, HJ, and IJ pairs. (No in step S206).

  When there is no point where the point pair having the predetermined distance d is determined as one point (No in step S206), the CPU 40 identifies which pair of points is input by the operation key 96 of one keyboard unit 200. Can not do it. Therefore, the CPU 40 displays a screen including a message prompting the user to change the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 on the display panel 20 provided corresponding to the touch sensor panel 30 (step S208). When this screen is displayed, the CPU 40 executes the processing from step S204 again.

[Display control]
Next, display control of the information processing apparatus 1 performed after setting up the keyboard unit 200 will be described.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example on the display panel 20 after the keyboard unit 200 is set up.
When the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 is determined and a correspondence table indicating the correspondence between each operation key 96 of the keyboard unit 200 and the coordinates of the touch sensor panel 30 is created, the CPU 40 performs a graphic operation processing unit 46 through the system bus 41. The drawing command is output to. This drawing command is, for example, a command for displaying the GUI element G1 so as to surround the keyboard unit 200 in order to notify the user that the setup of the keyboard unit 200 has been completed. This drawing command includes, for example, arrangement information of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30.

  The graphic calculation processing unit 46 acquires a drawing command from the CPU 40 through the system bus 41, and performs calculation processing based on the drawing command to generate display data. The graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 supplies the generated display data to the display control unit 51. When the display control unit 51 acquires the display data from the graphic calculation processing unit 46, the display control unit 51 drives the display panel 20 based on the display data to display the GUI element G1. Accordingly, the keyboard unit 200 can display in a predetermined area of the display panel unit 20 based on the position information.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example on the display panel 20 when the application software is activated.
Next, display control on the display panel 20 when the application software is activated will be described. Here, the application software is, for example, text input software.

  When the application software is activated, the CPU 40 outputs a drawing command to the graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 through the system bus 41. For example, this drawing command includes a GUI element G2 as an input window for temporarily displaying text input by the user, and a GUI as an application area for sequentially displaying text displayed in the input window. This is a command for displaying the element G3. This drawing command includes, for example, arrangement information of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30.

  The graphic calculation processing unit 46 acquires a drawing command from the CPU 40 through the system bus 41, and performs calculation processing based on the drawing command to generate display data. The graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 supplies the generated display data to the display control unit 51. When the display control unit 51 acquires the display data from the graphic calculation processing unit 46, the display control unit 51 drives the display panel 20 based on the display data to display the GUI elements G2 and G3. Accordingly, the keyboard unit 200 can display in a predetermined area of the display panel unit 20 based on the position information.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating another display example on the display panel 20 after the keyboard unit 200 is set up.

  A case where the keyboard unit 200 is set up when the application software is activated and the GUI element G4 as the application area is already displayed will be described.

  When the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 is determined and a correspondence table indicating the correspondence between each operation key 96 of the keyboard unit 200 and the coordinates of the touch sensor panel 30 is created, the CPU 40 performs a graphic operation processing unit 46 through the system bus 41. The drawing command is output to. This drawing command, for example, terminates the display of the GUI element G4 as the application area that is already displayed, and newly displays the GUI element G5 as the application area corresponding to the arrangement information of the keyboard unit 200 that has been set up. It is an instruction for. This drawing command includes, for example, arrangement information of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30.

  The graphic calculation processing unit 46 acquires a drawing command from the CPU 40 through the system bus 41, and performs calculation processing based on the drawing command to generate display data. The graphic arithmetic processing unit 46 supplies the generated display data to the display control unit 51. When the display control unit 51 obtains the display data from the graphic calculation processing unit 46, the display control unit 51 drives the display panel 20 based on the display data to end the display of the GUI element G4. A GUI element G5 is newly displayed corresponding to the above. Accordingly, the keyboard unit 200 can display in a predetermined area of the display panel unit 20 based on the position information. In the present embodiment, the display controls described above may be combined.

  The embodiment according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other embodiments are conceivable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reference position input unit for inputting the reference position of the keyboard unit 200 to the information processing apparatus 1 through the touch sensor panel 30 is the two operation keys 96 at the left and right ends of the operation keys 96 close to the user. . However, it is not limited to this. For example, two operation keys 96 positioned diagonally on the keyboard unit 200 may be used as the reference position input unit. In this case as well, the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 is based on the coordinate information of the two points input by the two operation keys 96 and the distance information from the two points to the respective sides in the biaxial direction of the touch sensor panel 30. Can be determined.

  Alternatively, the reference position input unit for inputting the reference position of the keyboard unit 200 to the information processing apparatus 1 through the touch sensor panel 30 may be the predetermined three operation keys 96 forming the vertices of a triangle. The triangle formed by the predetermined three operation keys 96 may not be a regular triangle. The CPU 40 determines the position and orientation of the keyboard unit 200 based on the coordinate information of the three points input to the touch sensor panel 30 using the predetermined three operation keys 96. As described above, since the position and orientation of the keyboard unit 200 are uniquely determined based on the coordinate information input to the touch sensor panel 30 by the predetermined three predetermined operation keys 96, the processing in steps S102 to S106 is performed. There is no need to perform processing.

  Alternatively, a reference position input unit for inputting the reference position of the keyboard unit 200 to the information processing apparatus 1 through the touch sensor panel 30 may be provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard unit 200 separately from the operation keys 96. Specifically, for example, two dielectric members are provided at predetermined positions on the bottom surface of the keyboard unit 200, and the arrangement of the keyboard unit 200 is determined based on the coordinate information of the touch sensor panel 30 in contact with or close to the dielectric member. That's fine.

  The dielectric constants of the two dielectric members provided on the bottom surface of the keyboard unit 200 are changed depending on different materials and contact areas. When the keyboard unit 200 is placed on the touch sensor panel 30, the touch sensor panel 30 detects the coordinate information of the two dielectric members that are in contact with or close to the touch sensor panel 30, and the dielectric constant levels of the two dielectric members. And the coordinate information and the dielectric constant level information are output to the CPU 40.

  The CPU 40 determines the position of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30 based on the acquired coordinate information. The CPU 40 determines the orientation of the keyboard unit 200 on the touch sensor panel 30 based on the acquired dielectric constant level information. As described above, since the position and orientation of the keyboard unit 200 are uniquely determined by the coordinate information of the two points input by the two dielectric members and the information on the dielectric constant level, it is necessary to perform the processing from step S102 to step S106. Disappears.

  In the above embodiment, the table unit 100 having the display panel 20 and the capacitive touch sensor panel 30 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a table portion having a transparent panel made of plastic or the like may be used. A keyboard unit 200 is placed on the transparent panel. As a display means, a projector is provided instead of the display panel 20. An infrared camera is provided in place of the touch sensor panel 30 as a user operation detection means. On the transparent panel, a GUI element or the like is displayed by projecting image light using a projector. The depression of the operation key 96 of the keyboard unit 200 placed on the transparent panel is detected based on the difference in refractive index using an infrared camera. In this example, since the capacitive touch sensor panel 30 is not used, it is not necessary to perform grounding by contact with the ground potential portion. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the ground connection unit 107 in the keyboard unit 300.

  In the above embodiment, the case where one and two keyboard units 200 are set up in the information processing apparatus 1 has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the number of keyboard units 200 is not limited to one and two, and may be three or more. Further, the information processing apparatus 1 has been described as having the keyboard unit 200. However, it goes without saying that the information processing apparatus 1 may include the keyboard unit 300.

  In the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus 1 including the table unit 100 as an information processing apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as information processing devices, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance), electronic dictionaries, cameras, display devices, audio / visual devices, projectors, mobile phones, game devices, car navigation devices, robot devices, and other electrical appliances Etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus 10 ... Frame 11 ... Leg part 20 ... Display panel 30 ... Touch sensor panel 60 ... Housing 64 ... Conductive plate 67 ... Conductive elastic body 69 ... Movable pin 71 ... Energizing spring 72, 97 ... Key top part 80 ... Upper frame 82 ... Membrane sheet 83 ... Spacer sheet 84 ... Lower frame 86 ... Cup part 89 ... Conducting part 90, 99 ... Contact 96 ... Operation key 100 ... Table part 107 ... Ground connection part 200, 300 ... Keyboard part

Claims (15)

A table unit having a touch sensor panel unit capable of detecting coordinates instructed by contact or proximity of an object;
A keyboard portion that can be placed on the touch sensor panel portion;
The keyboard part is
A first position that is placed on the touch sensor panel unit and is movable in the contact / separation direction with respect to the touch sensor panel unit, and one end of the touch sensor panel unit is in contact with or close to the touch sensor panel unit. And a plurality of movable parts having conductivity that can move between the touch sensor panel part and a second position at which the one end part is separated from the touch sensor panel part,
A plurality of key tops provided corresponding to each of the movable parts and receiving pressure from a user to move the corresponding movable part from the second position to the first position. And
An information processing apparatus comprising: a ground connection portion for electrically connecting the plurality of movable portions to a ground. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the keyboard unit further includes an elastic unit that returns each of the plurality of movable units moved to the first position to the second position by an elastic force. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the table unit further includes a contact unit that can be electrically contacted with the ground connection unit in a region other than a region where the coordinates can be detected by the touch sensor panel unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
The ground connection unit includes a conductive plate in electrical contact with the movable unit, and a conduction unit interposed between the contact unit of the table unit and the conductive plate. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The conduction unit is a conductive elastic body. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the plurality of movable parts are formed by forming a plurality of conductive contacts on a base material having elasticity. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,
The keyboard unit further includes a conduction unit capable of conducting the plurality of contacts and the touch sensor panel unit between the plurality of contacts and a region where coordinates can be detected by the touch sensor panel unit. . Information processing having a table portion having a touch sensor panel portion capable of detecting coordinates designated by contact or proximity of an object, and a keyboard portion having a plurality of operation keys and capable of being placed on the touch sensor panel portion A device,
The keyboard unit has a reference position input unit for causing the touch sensor panel unit to detect two or more reference positions for assigning the positions of the operation keys,
Based on the two or more reference positions of the keyboard unit detected by the touch sensor panel unit, the information processing apparatus determines the position of each operation key of the keyboard unit with respect to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit. An information processing apparatus comprising setup means for performing assignment. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,
The set-up means has the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distances from the respective reference positions to the respective ends of the touch sensor panel unit in the biaxial direction of the coordinate space. And determining the position including the position and orientation of the keyboard unit in the coordinate space, and based on the determination result, the position of the individual operation keys of the keyboard unit with respect to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit An information processing device that performs allocation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9,
The setup means determines the position of the keyboard unit based on the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distance between the two reference positions of the two or more reference positions. An information processing apparatus that determines and determines the arrangement of the keyboard unit based on the determination result. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8,
The keyboard unit has a reference position input unit for causing the touch sensor panel unit to detect three reference positions for assigning the positions of the operation keys.
The three reference positions include two reference positions and one reference position at a position shifted in an axial direction orthogonal to a straight line connecting the two reference positions, and the distance between the two reference positions is , At least a distance different from the distance between the other two reference positions,
The setup means determines an arrangement including the position and orientation of the keyboard part in the coordinate space based on the three reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel part, and based on the determination result An information processing apparatus that assigns positions of the individual operation keys of the keyboard unit to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10,
Corresponding to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit, a display panel unit superimposed on the touch panel unit,
An information processing apparatus further comprising: a display processing unit that performs display on the display panel unit corresponding to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit based on the determination result. Information processing having a table portion having a touch sensor panel portion capable of detecting coordinates designated by contact or proximity of an object, and a keyboard portion having a plurality of operation keys and capable of being placed on the touch sensor panel portion An information processing method for a device,
The reference position input unit provided in the keyboard unit detects two or more reference positions for assigning the operation key position to the touch sensor panel unit,
Based on the two or more reference positions of the keyboard section detected by the touch sensor panel section, the positions of the individual operation keys of the keyboard section are assigned to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel section. . An information processing method according to claim 13,
Based on the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distances from the respective reference positions to the respective ends of the touch sensor panel unit in the biaxial direction of the coordinate space, the coordinates Determine the arrangement including the position and orientation of the keyboard part in space,
An information processing method for assigning positions of the individual operation keys of the keyboard unit to the coordinate space of the touch sensor panel unit based on the determination result. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14,
Determining the position of the keyboard unit based on the two or more reference positions detected by the touch sensor panel unit and the distance between each of the two reference positions of the two or more reference positions;
An information processing method for determining the arrangement of the keyboard unit based on the determination result.

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