JP2012128668A - Electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device having excellent operability.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes: a housing having plural surfaces; a display unit provided on a first surface of the housing; an operation unit having plural detection units which detect whether or not contact to each predetermined area on plural surfaces other than the first surface of the housing is made and also detect a position of the contact, and each of which has piezoelectric elements for generating an oscillatory wave in each of the predetermined area and a detection element for detecting change in the oscillatory wave in the predetermined area; and a control unit for oscillating the piezoelectric element provided in the detection unit in a non-contact state among the plural detection units to output oscillation from the detection unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device.

  For example, Patent Document 1 is known as an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a portable information terminal. In an electronic apparatus as shown in Patent Document 1, a configuration in which a button is provided in an operation part is known. In such an electronic device, for example, a display unit is provided on one surface of a casing provided in a plate shape, and an operation is performed on a region around the display unit, a side portion of the casing, or the like on the one surface. A configuration in which buttons are provided is known.

JP 2010-86089 A

  However, in the configuration in which the operation buttons are arranged in the housing, the position of the operation buttons in the housing is fixed, and thus there is a problem that it is difficult to operate, for example, when the housing is rotated.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device having excellent operability.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a housing having a plurality of surfaces, a display unit provided on the first surface of the housing, and a plurality of different housings from the first surface of the housing A piezoelectric element that generates a vibration wave in each predetermined area of the surface; and a detection element that detects a change in the vibration wave in the predetermined area, and detects presence / absence of a contact with the predetermined area and a contact position. An operation unit having a plurality of detection units, and a control unit that outputs vibration from the detection unit by vibrating the piezoelectric element provided in the detection unit in the non-contact state among the plurality of detection units. An electronic device is provided.

  According to the aspect of the present invention, an electronic device having excellent operability can be provided.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the portable information terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows the structure of a part of portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The graph which shows the characteristic of the side part detection part which concerns on this embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows one form of operation | movement of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows one form of operation | movement of the portable information terminal which concerns on this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a portable information terminal EQP according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal EQP includes a housing FL, a display unit DP, an operation unit SD, and a control device CONT.

The housing FL is formed in, for example, a rectangular plate shape, and holds the display unit DP and the operation unit SD.
The display unit DP is provided on the plate surface of the housing FL. A surface of the housing FL on which the display unit DP is provided is hereinafter referred to as a display surface Fe. The display unit DP has a display panel PN having, for example, a liquid crystal device or an organic EL device. In the display area where the display panel PN is provided, for example, a touch panel TP is provided.

  The operation unit SD is provided on four side surfaces Fa to Fd corresponding to the four sides surrounding the display surface Fe in the housing FL. The operation part SD includes a side part detection part SD1 provided on the side face Fa, a side part detection part SD2 provided on the side face Fb, a side part detection part SD3 provided on the side face Fc, and a side part detection provided on the side face Fd. Part SD4. The operation unit SD detects the presence / absence of contact from the outside (for example, by the user) and the contact position in the side detection units SD1 to SD4.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the operation unit SD. Although FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the side detection unit SD1 provided on the side face Fa as a representative, the same description can be made for the other side detection units SD2 to SD4.
As shown in FIG. 2, a detection region 20 is provided at a substantially central portion of the side face Fa. The detection area 20 is a rectangular area formed in the longitudinal direction in a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the side face Fa. The detection region 20 is flush with other portions of the side face Fa.

  Around the detection region 20, an X transmitter 201 and a Y transmitter 211 that generate ultrasonic surface acoustic waves, and a reflective array that reflects the ultrasonic surface acoustic waves 230 generated from the X transmitter 201 and Y transmitter 211. 203 and an X receiver 202 and a Y receiver 212 that receive the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230 reflected on the detection region 20 after being reflected by the reflection array 203 are arranged. As the X transmitter 201 and the Y transmitter 211, for example, a piezoelectric element or the like is used.

  For example, when the user's finger or the like comes into contact with the detection region 20, as shown in the graph of FIG. 3, the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230 at the contact position is locally attenuated (attenuating portion 231). In the graph of FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230, and the horizontal axis represents time. Such a change in the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230 is transmitted to the control device CONT.

  In the control device CONT, it is possible to calculate the presence / absence of contact from outside and the contact position by detecting a change in the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230. For example, when the user moves the contact portion along the detection region 20, the position where the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230 attenuates moves with the movement of the contact portion. In the control device CONT, the movement (movement direction, movement distance, and movement speed) of the position where the ultrasonic surface acoustic wave 230 attenuates can be detected.

FIG. 4 is a diagram when the portable information terminal EQP is viewed from the display surface Fe side, and the side detection units SD1 to SD4 are shown in cross section.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the side detection units SD1 to SD4 is arranged at a position of each side of the display unit DP formed in a rectangular shape, and is formed to have a size corresponding to the size of the display unit DP. .

  Specifically, the detection areas 20 of the side detection parts SD1 and SD2 are arranged at positions corresponding to the short sides of the display part DP. Further, the longitudinal dimension of the detection region 20 of the side detection parts SD1 and SD2 is equal to the dimension of the short side of the display part DP. On the other hand, the detection areas 20 of the side detection parts SD3 and SD4 are arranged at positions corresponding to the long sides of the display part DP. Moreover, the dimension of the longitudinal direction of the detection region 20 of the side detection parts SD3 and SD4 is equal to the dimension of the long side of the display part DP.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device CONT.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device CONT includes a control unit 51, an input unit 52, an output unit 53, a storage unit 54, a communication unit 55, and a power supply unit 56.

  The control unit 51 performs overall calculation processing of the portable information terminal EQP. The input unit 52 is a part that inputs to the portable information terminal EQP. As the input unit 52, the side detection units SD1 to SD4 and the display unit detection unit 52b are provided. As the input unit 52, a sensor such as a posture detection unit 52c is provided. In addition, a voice input unit (not shown) such as a microphone may be provided as the input unit 52.

  The display unit detection unit 52b detects the presence / absence of contact and the contact position on the touch panel TP. The posture detection unit 52c is a sensor that detects the posture of the portable information terminal EQP. For example, a triaxial acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor is provided as the posture detection unit 52c.

  The output unit 53 outputs images and sounds. Examples of the output unit 53 include the display unit DP that displays an image, and an audio output unit 53b that controls output of audio. The sound output unit 53b can output sound from the side detection units SD1 to SD4 by vibrating piezoelectric elements such as the X transmitter 201 and the Y transmitter 211 of the side detection units SD1 to SD4, for example. It can be done. The audio output unit 53b can adjust the amplitude and frequency of the X transmitter 201 and the Y transmitter 211.

  The storage unit 54 stores the calculation results by the control unit 51, input information to be input to the input unit 52, output information to be output by the output unit 53 (eg, image data, audio data), information to be communicated via the communication unit 55, and the like. Remember.

  The communication unit 55 is configured to be able to communicate information with the outside by at least one of a wired method and a wireless method. The power supply unit 56 is provided with a power supply for supplying power to the portable information terminal EQP. Examples of the power supply unit 56 include a battery and a battery.

Next, the operation of the portable information terminal EQP configured as described above will be described.
In the portable information terminal EQP, image data stored in the storage unit 54 and image data communicated via the communication unit 55 are output to the display unit DP and displayed as an image. Similarly, the audio data stored in the storage unit 54 is output under the control of the audio output unit 53b. Further, data including these image data and audio data is communicated with the outside.

  In the control device CONT, these outputs and communications are performed based on the user's operation. When the orientation of the housing FL of the portable information terminal EQP is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the direction from the side face Fa to the side face Fb is the direction of gravity, the control device CONT displays the display areas 31 to 38 of the display unit DP. In FIG. 5, for example, an identification display for performing processing 1 to processing 8 is displayed.

  For example, the control device CONT sets four unit areas in an area along the upper side in the figure among the four sides of the display unit DP, and sets these unit areas as display areas 31 to 34, respectively. In addition, the control device CONT sets four unit areas in the detection area 20 of the side detection unit SD1 so as to correspond to the display areas 31 to 34, and these unit areas are set as contact areas (A1) to (D1), respectively. ).

  In addition, the control device CONT sets the display areas in the areas along the left side in the figure and the right side in the figure among the four sides of the display unit DP. Since the display area 31 is provided in the upper left corner of the display portion DP and the display area 34 is provided in the upper right corner in the figure, the display areas 31 and 34 are set as a common display area. To do.

  Accordingly, display areas 31, 35, and 37 are set on the left side in the figure, and display areas 34, 36, and 38 are set on the right side in the figure. Further, the control device CONT sets three unit areas corresponding to the display areas 31, 35, and 37 for the detection area 20 of the side detection unit SD3, and each of these unit areas is a contact area (E1). , (G1), and (I1). Further, the control device CONT sets three unit areas corresponding to the display areas 34, 36 and 38 for the detection area 20 of the side detection unit SD4, and each of these unit areas is a contact area (F1). , (H1) and (J1).

  In this state, the control device CONT is in a state of waiting for the user to touch any one of the display areas 31 to 38. In addition, the control device CONT is in a state of waiting for the user to contact the side part detection units SD1, SD3, SD4. In addition, the control device CONT prevents the processing from being performed even if it contacts the side part detection unit SD2.

  When the user touches an area of the touch panel TP that overlaps any of the display areas 31 to 38, the control device CONT detects the contact position on the touch panel TP by the display unit detection unit 52b, and the identification displayed at the contact position. The process corresponding to the display is executed. For example, when the user touches a portion of the touch panel TP that overlaps the display area 31, the control device CONT causes the process (Process 1) displayed in the display area 31 to be performed.

  When the user touches any one of the side detection units SD1, SD3, and SD4, the control device CONT detects the contact position on the side detection unit SD1, SD3, and SD4. For example, when the contact position is a position in the contact area (A1) of the side detection unit SD1, the process 1 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (A1) in the display unit DP is performed. Further, when the contact position is in the contact area (B1) of the side detection unit SD1, the processing 2 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (B1) in the display unit DP is performed. Similarly, when a contact position is detected in the contact area (C1) of the side detection unit SD1, the processing 3 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (C1) in the display unit DP is performed. Further, when contact is detected in the contact area (D1), the process 4 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (D1) in the display unit DP is performed.

  Further, in the case of the side detection unit SD3, when the contact position is a position in the contact area (E1), the process 1 is performed, and when the contact position is a position in the contact area (G1). If process 5 is performed and the contact position is the position of the contact area (I1), process 7 is performed. Similarly, for the side detection unit SD4, the process 4 is performed when the contact position is in the contact area (F1), and the contact position is in the contact area (H1). If the contact position is a position within the contact area (J1), process 8 is performed.

  As described above, the control device CONT performs processing so as to correspond to both the input by the touch panel TP and the input by the side detection units SD1, SD3, and SD4. In this case, the control device CONT displays the identification displays of the processing 1 to the processing 8 at positions along three sides of the four sides of the display unit DP. When the control device CONT detects a contact at the side detection units SD1, SD3, and SD4 corresponding to the four sides of the display unit DP, the control device CONT performs the processes 1 to 8. By such an operation, it is possible to intuitively perform input by the side detection units SD1, SD3, and SD4.

  In the above operation, the control device CONT can output sound using the side detection unit SD2 that does not perform processing even if it comes into contact. Specifically, the sound output unit 53b vibrates piezoelectric elements such as the X transmitter 201 and the Y transmitter 211 provided in the side detection unit SD2, and outputs sound from the side detection unit SD2. In this case, sound can be output without providing a separate speaker or the like.

  Further, when the orientation of the housing FL of the portable information terminal EQP is switched so that the direction from the side surface Fd to the side surface Fc becomes the direction of gravity as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the control device CONT displays the display unit DP. The display is switched so that the identification display is displayed in the display areas 41 to 48. In this state, the control device CONT waits for the user to contact any one of the display areas 41 to 48, and the user contacts the side detection units SD1, SD2, and SD4. Let it be in a standby state. In addition, the control device CONT prevents the processing from being performed even if it contacts the side detection unit SD3.

  In this case, similarly to the state shown in FIG. 6, when the user touches an area of the touch panel TP that overlaps any one of the display areas 41 to 48, the control device CONT uses the display unit detection unit 52 b to contact the touch panel TP. And processing corresponding to the identification display displayed at the contact position is executed. For example, when the user touches a portion of the touch panel TP that overlaps the display area 41, the control device CONT causes the process (process 1) displayed in the display area 41 to be performed.

  Further, when the user touches any one of the side detection units SD1, SD2, and SD4, the control device CONT detects the contact position on the side detection unit SD1, SD2, and SD4. For example, when the contact position is a position in the contact area (A2) of the side part detection unit SD4, the process 1 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (A2) in the display unit DP is performed. When the contact position is within the contact area (B2) of the side detection unit SD4, the process 2 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (B2) in the display unit DP is performed. Similarly, when a contact position is detected in the contact area (C2) of the side part detection unit SD4, the process 3 displayed on the part corresponding to the contact area (C2) in the display unit DP is performed. Further, when contact is detected in the contact area (D2), the process 4 displayed on the portion corresponding to the contact area (D2) in the display unit DP is performed.

  Further, in the case of the side detection unit SD1, if the contact position is a position in the contact area (E2), the process 1 is performed, and if the contact position is a position in the contact area (G2), If process 5 is performed and the contact position is the position of the contact area (I2), process 7 is performed. Similarly, for the side detection unit SD2, if the contact position is in the contact area (F2), the process 4 is performed, and the contact position is in the contact area (H2). If the contact position is a position in the contact area (J2), process 8 is performed.

  Thus, for example, when the posture of the housing FL is different, such as the posture of the housing FL shown in FIG. 6 and the posture of the housing FL shown in FIG. 7, the contact position for performing the same processing is performed. Can be appropriately switched together with the display, so that the input by the side detection units SD1, SD2, and SD4 can be intuitively performed.

  Further, in the above operation, the control device CONT can output a sound using the side detection unit SD3 that is not processed even if it comes into contact. Specifically, the sound output unit 53b vibrates piezoelectric elements such as the X transmitter 201 and the Y transmitter 211 provided in the side detection unit SD3, and outputs sound from the side detection unit SD2. As described above, as the side detection unit that does not perform processing even when touched, the location where the sound is output is changed from the side detection unit SD2 to the side as the side detection unit SD2 is switched to the side detection unit SD3. Since it can be switched to the part detection unit SD3, the place where the sound is output is not fixed. For this reason, sound can be output without providing a separate speaker or the like.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the display area DP provided on the first surface Fe of the housing FL and the detection areas 20 of the side surfaces Fa to Fd different from the first surface Fe of the housing FL. Since the operation unit SD having the side detection units SD1 to SD4 for detecting the presence / absence of the contact and the contact position is provided, even when the portable information terminal EQP is rotated and used, the operation is the same in each case. Can be done intuitively. Thereby, the portable information terminal EQP excellent in operability can be obtained.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the side detection units SD1 to SD4 are arranged on the side surfaces Fa to Fd of the housing FL has been described as an example, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the side part detection part may be configured to be provided on one or more faces of the side faces Fa to Fd.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the aspect which outputs an audio | voice from side part detection part SD2 and SD3 was mentioned as an example, it was not restricted to this, An audio | voice is supplied from other side part detection parts SD1 and SD4. It may be an aspect of outputting. In this case, the control device CONT does not display the identification information on the side corresponding to the side detection unit that outputs the sound in the display unit DP. Further, not only one of the side detection units SD1 to SD4 but also a mode of outputting sound from a plurality of the side detection units SD1 to SD4 may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the aspect which outputs an audio | voice using the side part detection parts SD1-SD4 was mentioned as an example, it demonstrated and it is not restricted to this. For example, the control device CONT may output the vibration itself using the side detection units SD1 to SD4. Thereby, more information can be detected by the user.

  In this case, the control device CONT may output the vibration using the side detection unit that the user contacts among the side detection units SD1 to SD4. This operation allows the user to efficiently detect vibration. Of course, the vibration may be output using a side detection unit that the user does not contact.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the touch panel TP is provided on the surface of the display unit DP has been described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which the touch panel TP is not provided may be used. Absent. In this case, it becomes the structure operated using side part detection part SD1-SD4 provided in the operation part SD. With this configuration, since high operability can be obtained without providing the touch panel TP, the cost of the portable information terminal can be reduced.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the aspect which controls so that each of side part detection part SD1-SD4 was divided | segmented into a some contact area was mentioned as an example, it was not restricted to this. For example, it does not matter if the setting is made so that one process is performed when one side detection unit is touched without being divided into a plurality of contact areas of the side detection units SD1 to SD4.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the attitude | position detection part 52c detected the attitude | position of the housing | casing FL and demonstrated and demonstrated as an example the aspect controlled to switch the display in display part DP based on a detection result, There is no limit. For example, control may be performed so that a constant display is performed regardless of the detection result of the posture detection unit 52c. Further, a mode in which the user can set a mode for switching display based on the detection result of the posture detection unit 52c and a mode for performing constant display regardless of the detection result may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the detection region 20 is flush with the other portions of the side surfaces Fa to Fd has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the detection region 20 is disposed on the inner side of the housing FL with respect to the other portions of the side surfaces Fa to Fd (configuration in which the detection region 20 is disposed in a recessed position). The region 20 may be configured to be disposed on the outer side of the housing FL with respect to the other portions of the side surfaces Fa to Fd (configuration in which the detection region 20 is disposed at a protruding position).

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated taking the case of the plate-shaped structure in which housing | casing FL was formed in the rectangle, it is not restricted to this. For example, the housing FL may have a plate-like configuration formed in another shape such as a circle, a triangle, or a polygon. Further, the housing FL may be formed in other shapes such as a spherical shape, a polygonal column shape, a cylindrical shape, etc. without being limited to a plate shape.

  EQP ... portable information terminal FL ... casing DP ... display unit SD ... operation unit CONT ... control device EL ... organic PN ... display panel TP ... touch panel Fe ... display surface Fa-Fd ... side surface SD1-SD4 ... side detection unit 20 ... Detection area 31-38 ... Display area 41-48 ... Display area 51 ... Control part 52 ... Input part 52b ... Display part detection part 52c ... Attitude detection part 53 ... Output part 53b ... Audio output part 201 ... X transmitter 202 ... X Receiver 203 ... Reflective array 211 ... Y transmitter 212 ... Y receiver 230 ... Ultrasonic surface acoustic wave

Claims (10)

A housing having a plurality of surfaces;
A display unit provided on the first surface of the housing;
A piezoelectric element that generates a vibration wave in each of a plurality of areas different from the first surface of the housing; and a detection element that detects a change in the vibration wave in the predetermined area. An operation unit having a plurality of detection units for detecting presence or absence of contact with the predetermined region and a contact position;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs vibration from the detection unit by vibrating the piezoelectric element provided in the detection unit that is in the non-contact state among the plurality of detection units. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a sound as the vibration. The housing is formed in a plate shape,
The display unit is disposed on a plate surface of the housing,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is disposed on a side surface of the housing. The housing is formed in a rectangular shape,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is disposed on each of four sides of the housing. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined area is set to an area corresponding to an area where the display unit is provided. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined region is formed to be flush with other regions of a plurality of surfaces different from the first surface. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that performs different processing according to the contact position in the detection unit. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit displays identification information for identifying the processing in an area corresponding to the contact position with respect to the predetermined area in the display unit. A posture detecting unit for detecting the posture of the housing;
The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit switches display of the identification information according to a detection result by the posture detection unit. The display unit is provided in a predetermined display area of the first surface,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a display unit detection unit configured to detect presence / absence of contact with the display region and a contact position.

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