JP2016143392A - Input device, push button device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device that can widen a region usable as a touch pad as much as possible without impairing usability, a push button device, and electronic equipment.SOLUTION: The input device includes a touch pad device, and the push button device arranged closely to the touch pad device. The push button device includes a lifting/lowering mechanism configured to lift/lower an operation surface of the push button device, and a touch pad function usable as a touch pad. The lifting/lowering mechanism, in a case where the push button device is used as a push button, lifts the operation surface compared to a case where the push button device is used as a touch pad.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, a push button device, and an electronic apparatus.

  Many input devices used in notebook PCs and the like are equipped with a touch pad. Such a touchpad detects the position of a capacitor consisting of a flat sensor and a human finger on the surface of the sensor as a weak change in capacitance, and traces the finger's trajectory along the sensor surface. Is associated with the operation of the mouse pointer on the screen. The electrode plate area of a capacitor composed of fingers is roughly the contact area, which is relatively large compared to the touch pad area, but the sensor detects the presence of the capacitor as a distribution of capacitance across the sensor surface. The necessary resolution is obtained by determining the center.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the size of the touchpad and the ease of use of the pushpad device for the touchpad and the pointing device. In the figure, an example is shown in which a combination of a touch pad and a button is arranged in an area of approximately the same size. Reference numeral 152 denotes an example in which only the touch pad 201 is arranged. Reference numeral 151 denotes an example in which the touch pad 201 and the left, middle, and right selection buttons 204, 205, and 206 for the track point are arranged above the touch pad 201. 153 includes a touch pad 201, left, middle, and right selection buttons 204, 205, and 206 for track points above the touch pad 201, and left and right click buttons 202 and 203 below the touch pad 201. An example is shown.

  As shown in the figure, the larger the size of the touchpad, the easier it is to use. However, there are cases where the size of the touchpad cannot be increased due to limitations due to palm rest size, ease of use of buttons for pointing devices, and the like. A so-called click pad with the function of a pointing device button (for example, left and right click buttons) is also popular, but the pointing device button is provided independently of the touch pad. Many users feel that it is easy to use. On the other hand, if the buttons for the pointing device are provided independently, the touch pad cannot be enlarged.

  Therefore, it is desired to increase the usable area of the touchpad as much as possible without impairing the usability of the buttons for the pointing device.

Special table 2013-508913 gazette JP-A-5-298000

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an input device, a push button device, and an electronic apparatus that can widen the area that can be used as a touch pad without impairing usability. Is an issue.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an input device including a touchpad device and a push button device disposed in proximity to the touchpad device,
The push button device includes a lift mechanism that lifts and lowers an operation surface of the push button device, and a touch pad function that can be used as a touch pad, and the lift mechanism uses the push button device as a push button. Is characterized in that the operation surface is raised as compared with the case where the push button device is used as a touch pad.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the lifting mechanism uses the push button device as a push button, the operation surface of the push button device protrudes from the operation surface of the touch pad device. On the other hand, when the push button device is used as a touch pad, it is preferable that the operation surface of the push button device is substantially flush with the operation surface of the touch pad device.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the lifting mechanism includes a film actuator.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the push button device functions as a click button of a pointing device.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it further comprises control means for controlling inputs of the touch pad device and the push button device, wherein the control means uses the push button device as a push button, and A first mode for controlling the operation surface of the touchpad device as a touch area, the pushbutton device as a touchpad, and the operation surface of the pushbutton device and the operation surface of the pushbutton device. It is desirable to provide a second mode for controlling a region where the two are integrated as a touch region.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the electronic device includes the above-described input device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a push button device, and includes a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers an operation surface, and a touch pad function that can be used as a touch pad. When the push button device is used as a push button, the lifting mechanism raises the operation surface as compared with a case where the push button device is used as a touch pad.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the lifting mechanism uses the push button device as a push button, the operation of the touch pad device arranged close to the operation surface of the push button device. On the other hand, when the push button device is used as a touch pad, it is desirable that the operation surface of the push button device is substantially flush with the operation surface of the touch pad device. .

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the lifting mechanism includes a film actuator.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the push button device functions as a click button of a pointing device.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the electronic device includes the above-described push button device.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an input device capable of widening an area that can be used as a touch pad as much as possible without impairing usability.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a notebook PC 10 that is an electronic apparatus to which the keyboard device according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of the film actuator. FIG. 3 is a schematic assembly explanatory diagram for explaining the assembly of the keyboard device. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view seen from the upper surface side of the keyboard device. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view seen from the lower surface side of the keyboard device. FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly explanatory diagram for explaining the assembly of the keyboard device and the touch pad device. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state before a voltage is applied to the film actuator. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which a voltage is applied to the film actuator. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the selection button before and after the voltage is applied to the film actuator. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a schematic AA cross section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6 (before applying a voltage to the film actuator). FIG. 10B is a diagram (before voltage is applied to the film actuator) showing a schematic BB cross section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6. FIG. 10C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the keyboard device shown in FIG. 6 (before voltage is applied to the film actuator). FIG. 10D is a diagram (before applying a voltage to the film actuator) showing a schematic DD section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6. FIG. 11A is a diagram (a state where a voltage is applied to the film actuator) showing a schematic AA cross section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6. FIG. 11-B is a diagram (a state in which a voltage is applied to the film actuator) showing a schematic BB cross section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6. FIG. 11C is a diagram (a state in which a voltage is applied to the film actuator) showing a schematic CC section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6. FIG. 11D is a diagram (a state where a voltage is applied to the film actuator) showing a schematic DD section of the keyboard device of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration example of the notebook PC of FIG. 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration related to the control of the selection button. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a selection button and a touch area of the touchpad device. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining control of the selection button and the touch pad device by the input driver. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the size of the touchpad and the ease of use of the pushpad device for the touchpad and the pointing device.

  Hereinafter, an input device, a push button device, and an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although the components of the present invention are generally illustrated in the drawings herein, it can be readily understood that they may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of configurations with various configurations. Accordingly, the following more detailed description of the apparatus, system and method embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims, but merely as an example of selected embodiments of the invention. It is intended merely to illustrate selected embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods consistent with the present invention as set forth in the claims herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, and materials. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or that are substantially the same. The following embodiments and modifications may be implemented independently, or a part or all of them may be implemented in combination.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a notebook PC 1 which is an electronic apparatus to which an input device and a push button device according to the present embodiment are applied. As shown in the figure, the notebook PC 1 includes a main body side housing 2 and a display side housing 3 which are substantially rectangular parallelepipeds. The main body side housing 2 and the display side housing 3 are connected to each other by a pair of left and right hinges 4 at their respective ends, and the hinges 4 support these housings so that they can be opened and closed.

  The display side housing 3 includes a display device 31 on the front side. The main body side housing 2 includes a keyboard device 5 and a touch pad device 6 exposed on the upper surface. A substrate (not shown) on which various electronic components such as a CPU, a memory, a storage, and a power source are mounted is housed inside the main body side housing 2.

  The touch pad device 6 has a touch pad (touch sensor) formed on the operation surface, and is a pointing device for a user to move a cursor or the like. The touch pad device 6 may be a click pad device equipped with functions of a right click button and a left click button of a mouse.

  The keyboard device 5 includes a plurality of keys 7, a track point stick 8, and left, middle, and right selection buttons (click buttons) 9A for a track point (pointing device) disposed in proximity to the touch pad device 6. 9B, 9C. Each key top 18 constituting the operation surface of each key 7 is partitioned from other adjacent key tops 18, and each is arranged independently. The selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C include an elevating mechanism including a film actuator (see FIG. 3) for elevating the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C constituting the operation surface. A touch pad (touch sensor) is formed on the operation surface (touch surface) of each button cap 17A, 17B, 17C.

  In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, in order to widen the area that can be used as a touchpad without impairing usability, the user wants to use a wide area touchpad, and the selection button 9A, In consideration of the case where 9B and 9C are desired to be used as push buttons for Track Point, the selection buttons 9A, 9B and 9C are provided with a function as a push button for Track Point and a function as a touch pad. Thereby, when the user wants to use a touch pad in a wide area, the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C can be used as a touch pad, and the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C can be used as a push button for Track Point. Can be used as a push button for Track Point.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C are lifted and lowered by the above-described lifting mechanism so that the user can easily use the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C. When the user uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as push buttons for Track Point, the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C are raised to operate the operation surface of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C on the touchpad device 6. As a state of protruding from the surface, the user can easily press the selection buttons 9A, 9B, 9C. On the other hand, when the user uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as a touch pad, the selection is made without raising the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C so that the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C can be touched easily. The operation surfaces of the buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are made to be the operation surfaces of the touch pad device 6.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the principle of the film actuator used for constituting the raising / lowering mechanism which raises / lowers the button cap 17A, 17B, 17C is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of the film actuator. In FIG. 2, a film actuator 100 has a structure in which, for example, two piezoelectric polymers 100a and a non-piezoelectric film 100b such as a PET film are bonded together (for example, an EMP (Electrical-Mechanical Polymers) actuator). It is utilized that the PET film 100 is bent by the elongation of the polymer 100a. In the figure, a indicates a state in which no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric polymer 100a, and b indicates a state in which a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric polymer 100a. Since the film actuator 100 bends when a voltage is applied, the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C can be moved up and down by arranging the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C above the film actuator.

  The configurations and functions of the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In addition, the following FIGS. 3-11-D has shown the figure which cut | disconnected both sides with the width | variety of selection button 9A, 9B, 9C for the simplification of description.

  3 is a schematic assembly explanatory view for explaining the assembly of the keyboard device 5, FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view from the upper surface of the keyboard device 5, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view from the lower surface of the keyboard device 5. 6 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly explanatory diagram for explaining the assembly of the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state before a voltage is applied to the film actuator. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which a voltage is applied to the film actuator, and FIG. 9 is a selection button 9A, 9B, 9C (button cap 17A before and after the voltage is applied to the film actuator). , 17B, 17C) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the state.

  10A is a diagram showing a schematic AA cross section of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. 6 (before voltage is applied to the film actuator), and FIG. 10B is a schematic B- of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a cross section B (before voltage is applied to the film actuator), and FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a schematic CC cross section of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. 6 (before voltage is applied to the film actuator). 10-D is a diagram showing a schematic DD cross section of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. 6 (before voltage is applied to the film actuator), and FIG. 11-A is a schematic AA of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a cross section (a state where a voltage is applied to the film actuator), and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a schematic BB cross section of the keyboard device 5 in FIG. 6 (a state where a voltage is applied to the film actuator). -C is FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic CC section of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. 6 (a state where a voltage is applied to the film actuator), and FIG. 11-D is a diagram showing a schematic DD section of the keyboard device 5 of FIG. The voltage is applied to the actuator).

  3 to 5, the keyboard device 5 is configured by appropriately arranging a plurality of key tops 18, a Track Point stick 8, and button caps 17 </ b> A, 17 </ b> B, and 17 </ b> C on the upper surface of the support frame 11. A touch pad (touch sensor) (not shown) is formed on the upper surfaces (operation surfaces) of the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C.

  The support frame 11 is a base of the keyboard device 5 and may be formed of a relatively rigid thin plate such as a metal plate. In the present embodiment, it has a first area 11a where various keys 7 are arranged and a second area 11b where selection buttons 9A, 9B and 9C are arranged. The support frame 11 is formed in a step shape so that the second region 11b is positioned above the first region 11a. In the second region 11b, a recess 11c is formed in order to arrange the elongated portion 12a of the membrane sheet 12 substantially flush with the second region 11b.

  A membrane sheet 12 is laid between the support frame 11 and the key top 18 and the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C. The membrane sheet 12 is a multilayer thin film member made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and includes a rubber dome 13 corresponding to each key top 18 and rubber dome 13A, 13B, corresponding to each button cap 17A, 17B, 17C. 13C, and also has contact portions (not shown) at portions located below the rubber domes 13, 13A, 13B, and 13C.

  The membrane sheet 12 is formed with an extension portion 12a including rubber domes 13A, 13B, and 13C to form the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C. The second region 11b is disposed in the recess 11c.

  The rubber dome 13 is a hemispherical member made of an elastic member, and is attached to the upper surface of the membrane sheet 12 so as to protrude upward. The upper ends of the rubber domes 13 are in contact with the lower surfaces of the key tops 18 respectively. Similarly, the upper ends of the rubber domes 13A, 13B, and 13C are in contact with the lower surfaces of the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C, respectively. The contact portion is configured to include a pair of contacts (switches) that are open to each other in a normal state, and when pressed, the membrane sheet 12 is elastically deformed, and the contact is closed and turned ON. is there. When the pressing force is removed, the pair of contacts return to the open state again by the elastic restoring force of the membrane sheet 12.

  The film actuator sheet 20 is disposed on the second region 11 b of the support frame 11. The film actuator sheet 20 is formed with a pair of film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C for raising and lowering the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C, respectively. The pair of film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C are disposed at positions that sandwich the rubber domes 13A, 13B, and 13C, respectively. A fixing member 15 for fixing the film actuator sheet 20 is disposed on the film actuator sheet 20 in a state where the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C are exposed.

  On the upper surface of the membrane sheet 12, a keyboard frame 16 for partitioning the rubber dome 13 corresponding to each key 7 is disposed. The keyboard frame 16 is a frame in which a plurality of holes are formed through which a key top 18 of each key 7 is inserted into a single plate-like member formed of resin or the like.

  The key top 18 and the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C are arranged to be individually movable in a manner of approaching and separating from the support frame 11 by a link mechanism (for example, a pantograph) (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C are lifted, bottom portions 17A1, 17B1, and 17C1 with which the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C abut are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6 configured as described above are accommodated in a main body frame 10.

  Next, an operation for raising and lowering the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 10-A to 10-D, the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C are flat when no voltage is applied, and the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C are in a flat state. Are not in contact with the bottom surfaces 17A1, 17B1, and 17C1. In this state, the operation surface (touch surface) of the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17B and the operation surface (touch surface) of the touch pad device 6 are substantially flush with each other.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11-A to 11-D, when a voltage is applied, the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C are bent by being expanded, and are thus button caps. The button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C are pushed upward by coming into contact with the bottom surfaces 17A1, 17B1, and 17C1 of 17A, 17B, and 17C. In this state, the operation surfaces of the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17B protrude from the operation surface of the touch pad device 6. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11-A to 11-D, the button caps 17A and 17C are pushed up on the front side, and the button cap 17B is pushed up on the back side.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration example of the notebook PC 1 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the notebook PC 1 includes a CPU 111, ROM 112, memory 113, HDD (hard disk) 114, graphics adapter 115, display device 31, embedded controller 119, USB port 120, battery 121, DC -DC converter 122, AC adapter 123, etc. are provided, and each part is connected via the bus. In addition, the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6 are connected to the embedded controller 119.

  The CPU 111 controls the tablet PC 1 as a whole by the OS 130 stored in the HDD 114 connected via the bus, and controls functions based on various programs stored in the HDD 114. The ROM 112 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System: basic input / output system) 112a, data, and the like.

  The memory 113 includes a cache memory and a RAM, and is a writable memory that is used as a read area for an execution program of the CPU 111 and a work area for writing process data of the execution program.

  The HDD (hard disk) 114 stores an OS 130 for controlling the tablet PC 1 as a whole, various drivers 131 for operating hardware of peripheral devices, a utility program 132, an application program 133 directed to a specific task, and the like. It has the function to do.

  The OS 130 controls basic operations of the tablet PC 1, manages various resources, and transmits, for example, commands generated by application programs to the driver 131 and the BIOS 112a. The OS 130 has a multitask function and a multiwindow function, and includes software such as an execution context of the application program 133 (register set, main memory image, file handle, etc. used by a certain application program 133) and GUI parts. It also manages resources. As the OS 130, for example, Windows (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or the like can be used.

  The various drivers 131 include, for example, an input driver 135 for operating the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6, a display driver for displaying an image on the display device 31, and the like. The input driver 135 controls operations of the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6 via the embedded controller 119.

  The graphics adapter 115 converts the drawing information into a video signal under the control of the CPU 111 and outputs the converted video signal to the display device 31. The graphics adapter 115 writes the drawing information written in the VRAM 115a or the VRAM 115a. A graphics chip or the like that converts information into a video signal and outputs it to the display device 31 is provided.

  The display device 31 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, a CRT, or the like. The display device 31 is controlled by the CPU 111 and displays various types of information according to a video signal input from the graphics adapter 115.

  The keyboard device 5 has various keys 7 for inputting characters, commands, etc., a track point stick 8 for moving a pointer on the screen and selecting various menus, left, middle and right selections for the track point. Buttons 9A, 9B, 9C. When the various keys 7 are pressed and the above-described switches (contacts) are turned on, the corresponding keys are output to the embedded controller 119. The selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C include touch pads 21A, 21B, and 21C (see FIG. 13) and the switches (contacts) described above, respectively. The selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C output corresponding button signals to the embedded controller 119 when the switches (contacts) are turned on by being pressed. The touch pads 21A, 21B, and 21C are used for moving a pointer on the screen and selecting various menus. The coordinate signals corresponding to user operations on the operation surface (touch surface) are sent to the embedded controller 119. Output.

  The touch pad device 6 is used to move a pointer on the screen or select various menus, and outputs a coordinate signal corresponding to a user operation on the operation surface (touch surface) to the embedded controller 119. The keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6 constitute a user interface for the user to input information.

  The embedded controller 119 controls operations of the keyboard device 5 and the touch pad device 6. The embedded controller 119 receives key signals from various keys 7 and outputs them to the input driver 135. The embedded controller 119 receives button signals from the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C and outputs them to the input driver 135. Also, the user of the operation surface of the touch pads 21A, 21B, and 21C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C. A coordinate signal corresponding to the operation is output to the input driver 135. Furthermore, the embedded controller 119 outputs a coordinate signal corresponding to a user operation on the operation surface of the touchpad device 6 to the input driver 135.

  The AC adapter 123 is connected to a commercial power supply, converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage, and outputs the DC voltage to the DC-DC converter 122. The DC-DC converter 122 converts the DC voltage supplied from the AC adapter 123 into a predetermined voltage, supplies power to each unit, and charges the battery 121. The battery 121 is charged by the DC-DC converter 122 and supplies the charged voltage to each unit when the AC adapter 123 is not attached.

  Details of control of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C and the touch pad device 6 by the input driver 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration related to the control of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the touch areas of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C and the touch pad device 6. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, 9C and the touch pad device 6 by the input driver 135.

  In FIG. 13, the OS 130, the input driver 135, and the application program 133 installed in the HDD 114 are read into the memory 113 and executed by the CPU 111. The OS 130 intervenes in transmission / reception of data or commands between the application program 133 and the input driver 135.

  In FIG. 14, the operation surface of the touch pad device 6 is the first region A1, and the operation surfaces of the touch pads 21A, 21B, and 21C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are the second region A2 and the third region A3, respectively. , Referred to as a fourth region A4.

  The OS 130 outputs an input mode instruction (first mode or second mode) to the input driver 135. The OS 130 can output an input mode instruction based on a user instruction, an instruction from the application program 133, a setting content, and the like.

  The input driver 135 uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as push buttons, and uses a first mode (button mode) in which only the first area A1 that is the operation surface of the touchpad device 6 is used as a touchpad; The selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are used as touch pads, and the first area A1 of the touch pad device 6 and the second area that is the operation surface of the touch pads 21A, 21B, and 21C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C. A second mode (touch pad mode) in which A2, A3 and A4 are integrated and controlled as one area is executed.

  The input driver 135 includes a Button Up / Down control unit that controls the raising and lowering of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C, and the first area A1 of the touch pad device 6 and the touch pads 21A, 21B, and 9B of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C. A data integration control unit for controlling integration with the second, third, and fourth areas A2, A3, and A4 of 21C is provided.

  In the second mode, the Button Up / Down control unit outputs an instruction to the embedded controller 119 that no voltage is applied to the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C, and the voltage is applied to the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C. Is not applied. On the other hand, in the first mode, the Button Up / Down control unit outputs an instruction to the embedded controller 119 to apply a voltage to the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C, and the embedded controller 119 outputs the instruction to the film actuator 20A. , 20B and 20C are applied with voltage.

  In the first mode, the data integration control unit outputs only the coordinate signal for the first area A1 of the touchpad device 6 to the OS 130, and the second, third, and fourth of the touchpads 21A, 21B, and 21C. The coordinate signals for the areas A2, A3 and A4 are invalidated. On the other hand, in the second mode, the data integration control unit integrates the first area A1 of the touchpad device 6 and the second, third, and fourth areas A2, A3, and A4 of the touchpads 21A, 21B, and 21C. Then, as one area, coordinate signals for the first area A1 of the touchpad device 6 and the second, third, and fourth areas A2, A3, and A4 of the touchpads 21A, 21B, and 21C are output to the OS 130.

  An outline of control of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, 9C and the touch pad device 6 by the input driver 135 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 15, first, the input driver 135 determines whether the input mode instruction input from the OS 130 is the first mode or the second mode (step S1). When the input instruction mode is the first mode, the Button Up / Down control unit of the input driver 135 applies a voltage to the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C via the embedded controller 119. Then, the button caps 17A, 17B, 17C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, 9C are raised (step S2: see FIG. 9). That is, the Button Up / Down control unit outputs an instruction to apply a voltage to the film actuators 20A, 20B, and 20C to the embedded controller 119, and the embedded controller 119 responds to the film actuators 20A, 20B, A voltage is applied to 20C.

  The input driver 135 uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as push buttons (enables the switches of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C), and selects the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C that are input via the embedded controller 119. A button signal is output to the OS 130 (step S3). Further, the data integration control unit of the input driver 135 outputs a coordinate signal for the first area A1 of the touchpad device 6 input from the embedded controller 119 to the OS 130.

  On the other hand, if the input instruction mode is the second mode in step S1, the Button Up / Down control unit of the input driver 135 does not apply a voltage to the film actuators 20A, 20B, 20C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, 9C. (Step S4). That is, the button caps 17A, 17B, and 17C of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are not raised (see FIG. 9).

  The input driver 135 invalidates the button signals (switches) of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C, and uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as a touch pad (step S5). The data integration control unit of the input driver 135 integrates the first area A1 of the touchpad device 6 and the second, third, and fourth areas A2, A3, and A4 of the touchpads 21A, 21B, and 21C into one area. As a result, coordinate signals for the first area A1 of the touchpad device 6 and the second, third, and fourth areas A2, A3, and A4 of the touchpads 21A, 21B, and 21C are output to the OS 130 (step S6).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the touch pad device 6 and the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C arranged close to the touch pad device 6 are provided, and the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are The elevating mechanism for elevating the operation surface of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C and a touch pad function that can be used as a touch pad are provided. When the elevating mechanism uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as buttons, Since the operation surface is raised as compared with the case where it is used as a touch pad, it is possible to widen the area that can be used as a touch pad without impairing usability.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when using the selection buttons 9A, 9B, 9C as push buttons, the elevating mechanism makes the operation surface project from the upper surface of the touch pad device 6, while the selection button When using 9A, 9B, and 9C as a touch pad, the operation surface is set to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the touch pad device 6, and therefore the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are used as push buttons. In this case, the user can easily press the button, and when used as a touch pad, the user can easily touch the button.

  In addition, since the film actuator is used as the lifting mechanism, the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C can be lifted and lowered with a simple and compact configuration.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the input driver 135 uses the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as buttons, and controls the operation surface A1 of the touchpad device 6 as a touch area; The selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are used as a touch pad, and an area integrated with the operation surface A1 of the touch pad device 6 and the operation surfaces A2, A3, and A4 of the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C is controlled as a touch area. When the user does not use the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C as push buttons, the operation surface A1 of the touch pad device 6 and the selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C are displayed. An area integrated with the operation surfaces A2, A3, and A4 can be used as a touch area.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the keyboard device is applied to the notebook PC has been described. However, the keyboard device can be applied to a single keyboard device, and the electronic device is not limited to the notebook PC. The present invention can also be applied to other electronic devices having a keyboard such as a PDA.

  In the present embodiment, the push button device according to the present embodiment is applied to the left, middle, and right selection buttons 9A, 9B, and 9C for Track Point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to left and right click buttons corresponding to a right click button and a left click button of a mouse.

  Although the film actuator is used as the lifting mechanism of the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and other actuators may be used.

1 Notebook PC
2 Display side housing 3 Body side housing 4 Hinge
5 Keyboard device 6 Touch pad device 7 Key 8 Track Point stick 9A, 9B, 9C Selection button for Track Point 10 Body frame 11 Support frame 12 Membrane sheet 13, 13A, 13B, 13C Rubber dome 15 Fixing member 16 Keyboard frame 17A, 17B, 17C Button cap
18 Key Top 20 Film Actuator Sheet 20A, 20B, 20C Film Actuator 21A, 21B, 21C Touchpad 31 Display Device 111 CPU
112 ROM
113 Memory 114 HDD (Hard Disk)
115 Graphics Adapter 119 Embedded Controller 120 USB Port 121 Battery 122 DC-DC Converter 123 AC Adapter 123
130 OS
135 Input driver

Claims (11)

An input device comprising a touchpad device and a push button device disposed in proximity to the touchpad device,
The push button device is
An elevating mechanism for elevating the operation surface of the push button device;
Touchpad function that can be used as a touchpad,
With
The input device, wherein when the push button device is used as a push button, the elevating mechanism raises the operation surface as compared with a case where the push button device is used as a touch pad.   When using the push button device as a push button, the lifting mechanism makes the operation surface of the push button device project from the operation surface of the touch pad device, while using the push button device as a touch pad. The input device according to claim 1, wherein when used, the operation surface of the push button device is substantially flush with the operation surface of the touchpad device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the elevating mechanism includes a film actuator.   The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the push button device functions as a click button of a pointing device. Furthermore, the control means which controls the input of the touchpad device and the push button device, the control means,
A first mode in which the push button device is used as a push button and the operation surface of the touchpad device is controlled as a touch area;
A second mode in which the push button device is used as a touch pad, and a region in which the operation surface of the push button device and the operation surface of the push button device are integrated is controlled as a touch region;
The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   An electronic apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1. A push button device,
An elevating mechanism for elevating the operation surface;
Touchpad function that can be used as a touchpad,
With
When the push button device is used as a push button, the lifting mechanism raises the operation surface as compared with the case where the push button device is used as a touch pad.   In the case where the push button device is used as a push button, the lifting mechanism makes the operation surface of the push button device project from the operation surface of a touch pad device arranged close to the push button device. The push button device according to claim 7, wherein when the button device is used as a touch pad, the operation surface of the push button device is substantially flush with the operation surface of the touch pad device. .   The push button device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the elevating mechanism includes a film actuator.   The push button device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the push button device functions as a click button of a pointing device.   An electronic apparatus comprising the push button device according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

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