JP2014235671A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal which allows a user to perform spatial indication motion easily and correctly.SOLUTION: A portable information terminal comprises: a touch panel 13 having a sense surface and serving as a pointing device for detecting a three-dimensional position of an indication object which is arranged above the sense surface; a holding part 64 disposed along an edge of the sense surface, and capable of moving in the vertical direction with respect to the sense surface; projection parts 62, 63 and holes 66, 67 serving as height regulation parts for regulating the holding part 64 to have at least two kinds of height from the sense surface; and a film 15 supported by the holding part 64. The film 15 is arranged on either one of a first surface separated from the sense surface by a certain distance and separated by a distance in which the touch panel 13 can detect the indication object, and a second surface contacting to the sense surface, according to a height of the holding part 64.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal having a position input function on the surface.

  Conventionally, a portable information terminal provided with a planar pointing device on the surface thereof has been used. Such pointing devices include, for example, a touch panel having a transparent sense surface so as to cover the display unit of the portable information terminal, and a touch pad having a sense surface in a portion other than the display unit.

  The pointing device detects the position of the pointing object with respect to the sense surface and notifies the portable information terminal. The pointing object is, for example, a user's finger or stylus. Based on the notification from the pointing device, for example, the portable information terminal displays a predetermined cursor at a position corresponding to the pointing object on the display unit, and indicates a pointing action (referred to as a gesture) represented by a specific movement of the pointing object. Execute various functions that have been defined in advance.

  Only when the pointing object is in contact with the sense surface, a two-dimensional pointing device that can detect the planar position of the pointing object in the sense surface is widely used.

  Furthermore, a three-dimensional pointing device that can detect the three-dimensional position of the pointing object with respect to the sense surface is also known (for example, Patent Document 1). The pointing device of Patent Document 1 measures the change in capacitance caused by the movement of the pointing object, thereby measuring the distance from the sensing surface and the plane parallel to the sensing surface of the pointing object at a position away from the sensing surface. The position within can be detected.

  The use of a three-dimensional pointing device provides a user interface based on spatial pointing operations in various applications.

  A typical example of the spatial pointing operation is an operation of moving the pointing object in a space away from the sensing surface and not touching the sensing surface (in other words, within a virtual operation surface defined above the sensing surface). is there. When such an instruction operation is used, for example, the following user interface for selecting and starting a desired object is provided.

  On the display unit of the portable information terminal, a cursor that moves following the position of the pointing object (user's finger) and a plurality of icons representing a predetermined object are displayed. The user moves his / her finger within a virtual operation surface defined above the sense surface (object selection) until the cursor reaches the icon of the desired object. When the user touches the sense surface with the finger at the position, the portable information terminal activates the object (object activation).

Special table 2012-515966 gazette

  However, according to the conventional user interface based on the spatial instruction operation, the user is sensitive to, for example, moving a finger within a virtual operation surface defined above the sense surface in order to select an object. Action is required.

  In particular, when operating an external device using the portable information terminal as a remote control, or when viewing the display content of the portable information terminal on an external display device, the user can select the external device or the external display device. I need to see it. Therefore, such a delicate operation must be performed without looking at the portable information terminal at hand.

  For example, while watching a playback video displayed on a large video monitor placed in a living room, a video player is operated via a mobile information terminal, and a mobile information terminal is viewed while viewing navigation information projected on the windshield of a car. In many cases that are practically useful, such as operating a car navigation device via a mobile phone and operating a presentation application via a personal digital assistant while watching a slide projected on the screen, Spatial instruction operation is performed without looking at the terminal.

  Performing a spatial pointing operation as intended without looking at the hand is a considerably difficult task for the user. For example, a user is often forced to redo an operation by performing an erroneous operation such that an unintended object is activated when a finger touches the sense surface at an unintended position. Such an erroneous operation can occur even when the user performs a spatial pointing operation while looking at the portable information terminal at hand, so that a general improvement is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal in which a user can easily and accurately perform a spatial pointing operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the disclosed portable information terminal includes a pointing device that has a sense surface and detects a three-dimensional position of an indication object disposed above the sense surface; A holding portion provided along an edge of the sense surface and capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the sense surface; a height defining portion for defining the holding portion at least two types of height from the sense surface; and the holding A film supported by a portion, wherein the film is a distance that allows the pointing device to detect the pointing object according to a height of the holding portion, and is spaced apart from the sense surface by a certain distance. It is arranged on any one of the surface and the second surface in contact with the sense surface.

  According to this configuration, when the film is disposed on the first surface, the guide surface is formed above the sense surface of the pointing device by the film, so that the user is defined above the sense surface. A virtual operation surface for spatial pointing operation can be perceived by the film.

  The user operates the virtual operation surface through two types of operations that can be clearly distinguished only by tactile sensation: the operation of tracing the film with a finger and the operation of pressing the finger against the sense surface against the repulsive force received from the film. The sense surface can be easily and accurately distinguished.

  As a result, for example, a portable information terminal that can prevent an erroneous operation such that a finger touches the sense surface at an unintended position and activates an unintended object, and allows a user to easily and accurately perform a spatial pointing operation. Provided.

  In addition, when the film is disposed on the second surface, the user can slide his / her finger on the film without being aware of the presence of the film. Accordingly, the user can smoothly perform various planar instruction operations detected by a conventional two-dimensional pointing device, such as flick, swipe, pinch, and drag, even from the top of the film.

  Further, for example, the height defining portion can be freely restrained and released by a pressing portion that elastically pushes the holding portion in a direction away from the sensing surface, and a height that contacts the sensing surface. A first restraining portion and a second restraining portion for restricting a maximum height of the holding portion from the sense surface, and when the first restraining portion is released, the holding portion is separated from the sense surface. When the first restriction portion is fixed to the maximum height and the holding portion is fixed, the holding portion may be specified to a height contacting the sense surface.

  According to this configuration, the film can be disposed on one of the first surface and the second surface by using a force by which the holding portion is pressed by the pressing portion.

  In addition, for example, the height defining portion includes a first magnet provided along an edge of the sense surface, a second magnet provided in the holding portion and opposed to the first magnet, and the holding portion. A restraint that regulates the maximum height from the sense surface, and when the first magnet and the second magnet are opposed to each other in the same-phase pole, the holding portion is defined at the maximum height from the sense surface. When the first magnet and the second magnet face each other with different phase poles, the holding portion may be defined at a height in contact with the sense surface.

  According to this configuration, the film can be disposed on either the first surface or the second surface by using the repulsive force or attractive force of the first magnet and the second magnet.

  According to this configuration, since the guide surface is formed above the sense surface of the pointing device by the film, the user can set up a virtual operation surface for a spatial pointing operation defined above the sense surface. It can be perceived by the guide surface that is an entity.

  The user operates the virtual operation surface through two types of motions that can be clearly distinguished only by tactile sensation: the operation of tracing the guide surface with a finger and the operation of pressing the finger against the sense surface against the repulsive force received from the guide surface. The sense surface can be easily and accurately distinguished.

  As a result, for example, an erroneous operation in which an unintended object is activated by a finger touching the sense surface at an unintended position can be prevented, and a portable information terminal that allows a user to easily and accurately perform a spatial pointing operation can be provided.

  In addition, when the film is disposed on the second surface, the user can slide his / her finger on the film without being aware of the presence of the film. Accordingly, the user can smoothly perform various planar instruction operations detected by a conventional two-dimensional pointing device, such as flick, swipe, pinch, and drag, even from the top of the film.

FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1. 4 is a side view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2. Sectional drawing which shows an example of the portable information terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows an example of the portable information terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 3. Sectional drawing which shows an example of the portable information terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG.

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

  Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present invention. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of constituent elements, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims are described as arbitrary constituent elements.

(Embodiment 1)
The portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of the portable information terminal 60 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a user's finger 95 and an external display device 90 together with the portable information terminal 60.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the portable information terminal 60 of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable information terminal 60 includes a main body unit 11, a display unit 12, a touch panel 13, a holding unit 64, and a film 15.

  The main body 11 is a main body of the portable information terminal 60, and is configured by housing various members (not shown) such as a circuit board, a battery, and a wiring material in a housing. Protrusions 62 and 63 are provided on the side surface of the main body 11. The protrusion 63 is provided to be slidable in the X direction.

  The display unit 12 is an image display panel that displays information to be presented to the user. As the display unit 12, for example, a liquid crystal panel, an organic electroluminescence panel, or the like can be used.

  The touch panel 13 is a three-dimensional pointing device that detects the three-dimensional position of the pointing object with respect to the sense surface. The touch panel 13 detects the position of the pointing object within the detection range (for example, several cm) from the sense surface. As an example, the sense surface of the touch panel 13 is provided in a substantially rectangular shape covering the display unit 12 at the height shown as the touch panel 13 in FIG. Here, the user's finger 95 is an example of the pointing object.

  The touch panel 13 measures the position of the finger 95 in the plane parallel to the sense surface (XY coordinates) and the finger from the sense surface by measuring, for example, the capacitance that changes according to the position of the finger 95 with respect to the sense surface. A distance of 95 (Z coordinate) is detected. The touch panel 13 may detect, for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the position of the finger 95 when the user touches the touch panel 13 and the three-dimensional coordinates of the position of the finger 95 above the sense surface before touching. Since the configuration for detecting the three-dimensional coordinates of the position of the pointing object based on the change in capacitance is disclosed in detail in, for example, Patent Document 1, description thereof is omitted here.

  The holding portion 64 is a member provided so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the sense surface along the edge of the sense surface of the touch panel 13 (that is, the four sides around the sense surface). The holding portion 64 may be formed of a resin, for example, separately from the main body portion 11 and attached to the main body portion 11 from above. As an example, the holding part 64 has a frame-shaped main surface that supports the film 15 and a side surface that rises from an edge (for example, two long sides) of the main surface. Holes 66 and 67 are provided on the side surface of the holding portion 64.

  The film 15 is a film that is elastically deformed by the force applied by the user with the finger 95. The film 15 may be a transparent thin film made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or silicone rubber. The film 15 is not necessarily transparent, and may be an opaque thin film made of urethane rubber, for example. The thickness of the film 15 is about 0.2 mm, for example.

  The film 15 is formed in a flat shape facing the sense surface of the touch panel 13, and the edge of the film 15 may be fixed to the holding portion 64. The film 15 is arranged at a variable height according to the height of the holding portion 64.

  The external display device 90 is a video display device having a large display unit 91. The external display device 90 may be a television receiver having a size of several tens of inches placed in a living room, for example.

  The external display device 90 and the portable information terminal 60 are connected to be communicable. The external display device 90 and the portable information terminal 60 may be paired with, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or may be connected via a network.

  For example, the portable information terminal 60 may function as a remote controller for the external display device 90 and may operate the external display device 90 via communication. Moreover, the portable information terminal 60 may display the same information as the display unit 12 of the portable information terminal 60 on the display unit 91 of the external display device 90 via communication. The position on the display unit 91 is associated with the position on the sense surface of the touch panel 13.

  Next, a configuration for defining the height of the holding portion 64 from the sense surface will be described.

  As described above, the main body portion 11 is provided with the protrusions 62 and 63, and the holding portion 14 is provided with the holes 66 and 67. Since the protrusion 62 and the hole 66 are engaged with each other, and the protrusion 63 and the hole 67 are engaged with each other, the holding portion 64 is defined at at least two kinds of heights from the sense surface. That is, the protrusions 62 and 63 and the holes 66 and 67 are examples of the height defining portion.

  FIG. 3 is a side view of the portable information terminal 60 and shows an example in which the holding unit 64 (in particular, the main surface of the holding unit 64 here) is at a height away from the sense surface of the touch panel 13. .

  When the holding portion 64 is attached to the main body portion 11 from above, the protrusions 62 and 63 engage with the holes 66 and 67, respectively. The pressing portion 68 protruding inward of the hole 66 presses the protrusion 62 toward the lower end of the hole 66 by elastic force. Since the protrusion 63 can freely move in the vertically long portion of the hole 67, the holding portion 64 is pushed in a direction away from the sense surface of the touch panel 13. By holding the protrusion 62 against the lower end of the hole 66, the holding portion 64 is defined to have a maximum height from the sense surface.

  As a result, the film 15 is disposed on the first surface at a distance that allows the touch panel 13 to detect the finger 95 and a certain distance d (for example, d = 2 to 6 mm), which is separated from the sense surface.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of the portable information terminal 60 and shows an example in which the holding unit 64 is at a height in contact with the sense surface of the touch panel 13.

  From the state shown in FIG. 3, when the user pushes the holding portion 64 toward the main body portion 11 against the force pushing the projection 62 of the pushing portion 68 and slides the projection 63 into the horizontally long portion of the hole 67, the projection 63. Butt against the lower end of the horizontally long portion of the hole 67, so that the holding portion 64 is defined at a height in contact with the sense surface.

  As a result, the film 15 is disposed on the second surface in contact with the sense surface.

  The user can release the fixing by sliding the protrusion 63 into the vertically long portion of the hole 67, and the portable information terminal 60 can be brought into the state of FIG. 3 again. That is, the portable information terminal 60 can freely change the state of FIG. 3 and the state of FIG. 4 by the user.

  The protrusion 63 is not necessarily provided so as to be slidable. For example, the protrusion 63 may be fixed, and the entire holding portion 64 may be provided to be slidable in the X direction. According to such a configuration, the user can freely restrain the holding unit 64 at a height contacting the sense surface by sliding the entire holding unit 64 in a state where the holding unit 64 is pushed toward the main body unit 11. And can be released.

  Next, a usage example of the portable information terminal 60 and the external display device 90 will be described using an example of selecting and starting a desired object described in the background art section. The following description applies when the portable information terminal 60 is set to the state shown in FIG. 3, that is, when the film 15 is disposed on the first surface separated from the sense surface.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the user picks up the portable information terminal 60 and performs a spatial instruction operation while looking at the display unit 91 of the external display device 90. As an example, the display unit 91 of the external display device 90 displays a cursor 911 indicating the position of the user's finger 95 and nine icons 912 representing various objects. The various objects may be operation menus of the external display device 90 (for example, a channel selection button or a volume button in the case of a television receiver). The user operates the external display device 90 by moving the finger 95 while looking at the display unit 91 without moving the viewpoint to the portable information terminal 60 at hand.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the AA cross section of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrow, and the film 15 is disposed on the first surface separated from the sense surface of the touch panel 13.

  The user first traces the film 15 with the finger 95 as shown in FIG. 5 in order to select a desired object. Then, the touch panel 13 detects the position of the finger 95, and the portable information terminal 60 notifies the external display device 90 of the detected position of the finger 95. The external display device 90 calculates a position on the display unit 91 of the external display device 90 corresponding to the notified XY coordinate value of the position of the finger 95, and displays a cursor 911 at the calculated position. The cursor 911 on the display unit 91 moves following the position of the finger 95 notified from the portable information terminal 60.

  In the operation of selecting a desired object, the user simply slides the finger 95 on the film 15 in the XY direction, and does not move the film 15 in the Z direction. Therefore, even the easily deformable material such as the film 15 can sufficiently guide the user's operation. When the finger 95 approaches the sense surface, the repulsive force from the film 15 is fed back to the finger 95, so that the user can immediately move the finger 95 away from the sense surface.

  The user slides the finger 95 on the film 15 until the cursor 911 reaches the desired icon 912 while watching the cursor 911 moving on the display unit 91 following the movement of the finger 95.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the AA cross section of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrow, and shows an example in which the film 15 is pushed into the sense surface of the touch panel 13.

  To activate the selected object, the user pushes the film 15 toward the touch panel 13 with the finger 95 against the repulsive force generated by the elastic deformation of the film 15 at that position as shown in FIG. Then, the touch panel 13 detects the position of the finger 95 and the portable information terminal 60 notifies the external display device 90 of the detected position of the finger 95. The external display device 90 specifies the icon 912 where the cursor 911 has arrived, according to the XY coordinate value of the position of the finger 95. Then, when the Z coordinate value of the position of the finger 95 becomes substantially 0, an object (for example, channel selection of the television receiver or change in volume) corresponding to the specified icon 912 is activated.

  In this way, the user can select and activate a desired object through a spatial pointing action.

  In the above description, the repulsive force generated by the elastic deformation of the film 15 is fed back to the finger 95 when the user pushes the film 15 toward the touch panel 13, but the holding portion 64 is also elastically deformed together with the film 15. The repulsive force from both the film 15 and the holding portion 64 may be fed back to the finger 95. Further, neither the film 15 nor the holding portion 64 is deformed, and the entire film 15 and the holding portion 64 move up and down, and the repulsive force generated by the elastic deformation of the pushing portion 68 may be fed back to the finger 95. Thus, the source of the repulsive force applied to the finger 95 when the user pushes the film 15 toward the touch panel 13 is not limited.

  When the portable information terminal 60 is set to the state shown in FIG. 4, that is, when the film 15 is disposed on the second surface in contact with the sense surface, the user applies a repulsive force from the film 15. The finger 95 can be brought into contact with the sense surface without receiving. Therefore, various planar instruction operations detected by a conventional two-dimensional pointing device such as flick, swipe, pinch, and drag can be smoothly performed from above the film 15 without being aware of the film 15. Can do.

  Further, even when the portable information terminal 60 is set to the state shown in FIG. 3, the finger 80 is selected by appropriately selecting one or more of the elasticity of the film 15, the holding unit 64, and the pressing unit 68. If the repulsive force received from 15 is adjusted, the user can slide the finger 80 on the film 15 while pressing the film 15 to the sense surface. Accordingly, the user can smoothly perform various planar instruction operations detected by the conventional two-dimensional pointing device such as flick, swipe, pinch, and drag from the film 15.

  Further, in the state of FIG. 4, the main body 11 is completely accommodated in the thickness of the holding part 64, so that the portable information terminal 60 is the most compact size.

  According to the portable information terminal 60 configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  In a state where the film 15 is disposed on the first surface spaced apart from the sensing surface of the touch panel 13 by a certain distance, if the user slides and moves the finger 95 so as to trace the film 15, the sensing is performed with the finger 95. The distance to the surface is easily kept constant.

  The user can perceive a virtual operation surface for a spatial pointing operation defined above the sense surface by the film 15 which is an entity. The user performs virtual operation through two types of motions that can be clearly distinguished only by tactile sensation: an operation of tracing the film 15 with the finger 95 and an operation of pressing the finger 95 against the sense surface against the repulsive force received from the film 15. The surface and the sense surface can be easily and accurately distinguished.

  Further, when the film 15 is not present, the finger 95 can easily move in the XY direction in an empty space as it approaches the sense surface (that is, moves in the Z direction). If the finger 95 moves greatly in the X and Y directions before coming into contact with the sense surface, the cursor will move away from the icon of the desired object that once arrived, causing an erroneous operation. On the other hand, when the film 15 is present, the user can feel the friction of the film 15 with the finger 95 and surely reach the sense surface at the position of the XY coordinate once determined so that the finger 95 does not shift with respect to the film 15. Can be pushed in.

  As a result, for example, an erroneous operation in which an unintended object is activated when the finger 95 touches the sense surface at an unintended position is prevented, and the user can easily and accurately perform a spatial pointing operation. Is provided.

  Further, in a state where the film 15 is disposed on the second surface in contact with the sense surface of the touch panel 13, the user can slide the finger 95 on the film 15 without being aware of the presence of the film 15. . Accordingly, the user can smoothly perform various planar instruction operations detected by the conventional two-dimensional pointing device such as flick, swipe, pinch, and drag from the film 15.

  As long as the user performs a spatial pointing operation without looking at the portable information terminal 60 while looking at the display unit 91 of the external display device 90, the film 15 is not necessarily transparent, but the film 15 is transparent. Then, the user can perform a spatial instruction operation while looking at the display unit 12 of the portable information terminal 60. The portable information terminal 60 using the transparent film 15 is suitable for executing a new game or application operated by a user's spatial instruction operation.

  Moreover, although the holding part 64 demonstrated above does not have a lower surface, it is not restricted to this, The holding part of the shape which added the bottom face to the holding part 64 can also be considered. Although illustration is omitted, such a holding part wraps the main body part 11 by four surfaces of a main surface, two side surfaces, and a bottom surface, and the main body part 11 can move up and down in the holding part. You may provide the hole of the magnitude | size which a user's finger | toe passes in the bottom face of the said holding | maintenance part so that a user can push up the main-body part 11 in the said holding | maintenance part.

  In addition, an elastic protrusion may be provided on the side surface of the main body 11 and a concave portion that engages with the elastic protrusion may be provided in at least two locations inside the side surface of the holding portion. Depending on the height of the holding portion from the sense surface, the elastic protrusion and the concave portion may be engaged to define the holding portion to at least two types of height from the sense surface. .

(Embodiment 2)
A portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the portable information terminal 70 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the portable information terminal 70 is configured by replacing the holding unit 64 of the portable information terminal 60 with a holding unit 74. Below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as the component of the portable information terminal 60, and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The holding part 74 is put on the main body part 11. The holding portion 74 is provided with a first magnet 75, a second magnet 76, and a claw portion 77.

  The first magnet 75 is provided at the same height as the sense surface along the edge of the sense surface of the touch panel 13.

  The second magnet 76 is provided relative to the first magnet 75 and supports the film 15.

  The first magnet 75 and the second magnet 76 may be, for example, sheet magnets magnetized in the thickness direction so that either one of the front surface and the back surface is an N pole and the other is an S pole.

  The claw portion 77 is provided on the edge of the holding portion 74 (for example, near the center of each of the four surrounding sides).

  While the positions of the first magnet 75 and the claw portion 77 are fixed, the second magnet 76 and the film 15 can move in a direction perpendicular to the sense surface of the touch panel 13 while being guided by the claw portion 77. it can. The second magnet 76 and the film 15 can be mounted upside down. The second magnet 76 supports the film 15 while receiving a repulsive force or an attractive force from the first magnet 75 according to the mounting direction.

  In addition, the 1st magnet 75 and the nail | claw part 77 do not necessarily need to be provided in the holding | maintenance part 74, and may be provided in the main-body part 11, for example. For example, the first magnet 75 may be formed by magnetizing the edge of the main body 11.

  Next, a configuration for defining the height of the holding portion 74 (particularly the second magnet 76) from the sense surface will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, since the second magnet 76 and the film 15 can be mounted upside down, whether the first magnet 75 and the second magnet 76 attract or repel each other depending on the direction of the second magnet 76. Accordingly, the second magnet 76 is defined to have at least two kinds of heights from the sense surface. That is, the 1st magnet 75, the 2nd magnet 76, and the nail | claw part 77 are examples of a height prescription | regulation part.

  8 is a cross-sectional view of the BB cross section of FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction of the arrow, and shows an example in which the holding portion 74 (particularly, the second magnet 76) is at a height away from the sense surface of the touch panel 13. ing.

  When the second magnet 76 and the film 15 are mounted in a direction in which the first magnet 75 and the second magnet 76 face each other in the same phase, the second magnet 76 is repelled away from the first magnet 75. When the second magnet 76 hits the claw portion 77, the second magnet 76 is regulated to the maximum height from the sense surface.

  As a result, the film 15 is disposed on the first surface at a distance that allows the touch panel 13 to detect the finger 95 and a certain distance d (for example, d = 2 to 6 mm), which is separated from the sense surface.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the BB cross section of FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction of the arrow, and shows an example in which the holding portion 74 (particularly, the second magnet 76) is at a height in contact with the sense surface of the touch panel 13. Yes.

  When the user turns over the second magnet 76 and the film 15 from the state shown in FIG. 8 and mounts the first magnet 75 and the second magnet 76 in opposite directions with different phase poles, the second magnet 76 is The height is determined by being attracted to the magnet 75 and in contact with the sensing surface having the same height as the first magnet 75.

  As a result, the film 15 is disposed on the second surface in contact with the sense surface.

  The user can mount the second magnet 76 and the film 15 repeatedly and upside down. That is, the portable information terminal 70 can freely change the state of FIG. 8 and the state of FIG. 9 by the user.

  According to the mobile information terminal 70 configured as described above, the same effects as those described for the mobile information terminal 60 can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
The above-described portable information terminal is such that a guide surface (for example, a film that elastically deforms) that is an entity is formed on a virtual operation surface for a spatial pointing operation defined above the sense surface. It is common. Such a guide surface exerts a repulsive force on the pointing object brought close to the sense surface by the user, and gives feedback to the user by tactile sensation so that the user can keep the distance of the pointing object from the sensing surface constant. Demonstrate the effect.

  This effect is obtained by tactile feedback to the user that the pointing object has approached the sense surface. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a portable information terminal is considered in which such feedback is given to the user by the repulsive force of a magnet instead of a guide surface that is an entity such as a film.

  A portable information terminal according to Embodiment 3 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the portable information terminal 80 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the portable information terminal 80 includes a main body 11, a sheet magnet 82, and a device 83.

  The sheet magnet 82 is disposed on the sense surface of the touch panel 13. The sheet magnet 82 is magnetized in the thickness direction so that one of the front and back surfaces is an N pole and the other is an S pole. The main body 11 may be provided with a magnetic metal, and the sheet magnet 82 may be fixed to the sense surface by adsorption with the magnetic metal.

  The brace 83 is attached to the user's finger 95 and has a magnet attached thereto. The magnet is fixed to the user's finger 95 by the appliance 83. Although a ring-shaped appliance 83 is shown in FIG. 10, the appliance 83 is not limited to this, and may include anything that can be attached to the user's finger 95, such as a ring, a finger sack, or a glove.

  11 is a cross-sectional view of the CC cross section of FIG. 10 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the magnet of the appliance 83 is fixed to the finger 95 such that the in-phase poles of the sheet magnet 82 face each other. Therefore, when the user brings the finger 95 wearing the appliance 83 close to the touch panel 13, the finger 95 receives a repulsive force due to magnetic force. Since the sheet magnet 82 is magnetized by the same magnetic pole on the entire surface, the finger 95 receives a repulsive force regardless of the position on the touch panel 13. Further, the repulsive force received increases as the finger 95 approaches the touch panel 13.

  According to the portable information terminal 60 configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  The user can perceive that the finger 95 has deviated from the virtual operation surface for the spatial pointing operation defined above the sense surface and has approached the sense surface by increasing the repulsive force received by the finger 95. Through two types of operations that can be clearly distinguished only by tactile sense, the user can freely move the finger 95 in a region where the repulsive force is small, and the operation that presses the finger 95 against the increasing repulsive force. The virtual operation surface and the sense surface can be easily and accurately distinguished.

  As a result, for example, an erroneous operation in which an unintended object is activated when the finger 95 touches the sense surface at an unintended position is prevented, and the user can easily and accurately perform a spatial pointing operation. Is provided.

  In particular, when a brace 83 that can be rotated with respect to a finger 95 such as a ring or a finger sack is used, the finger 95 is removed from the sheet magnet 82 by turning the brace 83 and changing the magnetic field direction of the magnet attached to the brace 83. The magnitude of the repulsive force received can be easily adjusted. Therefore, the magnitude of repulsive force suitable for the user to perceive a virtual operation surface can be set for each user.

  From the above description, the portable information terminal in which the user can easily and accurately perform the spatial pointing operation can be achieved by the guide body that exerts a large repulsive force on the pointing object as the pointing object approaches the sense surface. I understand. Such a guide body may be a guide surface which is an entity such as an elastically deformable film, or may be a magnet provided with a common-mode pole opposed to the sense surface and the pointing object.

  That is, a pointing device that has a sense surface and detects the three-dimensional position of the pointing object disposed above the sensing surface, and the closer the pointing object is to the sensing surface, the closer the pointing object is to the pointing surface A portable information terminal including a guide body that applies a greater force in the direction of leaving is included in the scope of the present invention. Although the generation source of the force applied to the pointing object is not limited, the generation source of the force is, for example, an elastic force of a member such as a film constituting the guide surface, an elastic force of a holding unit that supports the guide surface, Or the repulsive force of a magnet may be sufficient.

  As mentioned above, although the portable information terminal which concerns on the one or some aspect of this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless departing from the spirit of the present invention, one or more aspects of the present invention may be implemented in various forms conceived by those skilled in the art in the present embodiment, or in a form constructed by combining components in different embodiments. It may be included within the scope of the embodiments.

  The present invention can be widely used as a portable information terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Main body part 12 Display part 13 Touch panel 15 Film 60, 70, 80 Portable information terminal 62, 63 Protrusion 64, 74 Holding part 66, 67 Hole 68 Push part 75 1st magnet 76 2nd magnet 77 Claw part 82 Sheet magnet 83 Equipment 90 External display device 91 Display unit 95 Finger 911 Cursor 912 Icon

Claims (3)

A pointing device that has a sense surface and detects the three-dimensional position of the pointing object disposed above the sense surface;
A holding portion provided along an edge of the sense surface and capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the sense surface;
A height defining portion for defining the holding portion at least two types of height from the sense surface;
A film supported by the holding part,
The film has a first surface separated from the sense surface by a distance that the pointing device can detect the pointing object according to a height of the holding portion, and a second surface that is in contact with the sense surface. Arranged on any of the surfaces,
Mobile information terminal. The height defining portion is
A pressing portion that elastically pushes the holding portion in a direction away from the sense surface;
A first restraining portion capable of freely restraining and releasing the holding portion at a height in contact with the sense surface;
A second restraining portion for restricting a maximum height of the holding portion from the sense surface;
Have
When the first restraining portion is released, the holding portion is defined at the maximum height from the sense surface,
When the first restraining portion is fixed, the holding portion is defined at a height in contact with the sense surface.
The portable information terminal according to claim 1. The height defining portion is
A first magnet provided along an edge of the sense surface;
A second magnet provided in the holding portion and facing the first magnet;
A restraining portion that regulates the maximum height of the holding portion from the sense surface;
Have
When the first magnet and the second magnet are opposed to each other with the same phase pole, the holding portion is defined at the maximum height from the sense surface,
When the first magnet and the second magnet are opposed to each other with a different phase pole, the holding portion is defined as a height that is in contact with the sense surface.
The portable information terminal according to claim 1.

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