JP2017151615A - Stick-type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stick-type input device which allows for performing tablet manipulation, taking memo, or the like while being engaged in keyboard manipulation or the like without having to pick up another writing tool, and then performing key inputting manipulation straight away thereafter.SOLUTION: A stick-type input device 1 comprises a stem 2 provided with an input section 20 configured to accept data input when touched by a finger, a plurality of input keys 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E provided on the stem, a writing tool 3 provided at one end 2a of the stem 2, and an input key 21A provided at the other end of the stem.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a stick type input device having a writing instrument at one end of a shaft and an input unit capable of inputting data to the shaft.

  Conventionally, as a portable device that emphasizes ease of input, a pocket calculator (see Patent Document 1) having keys arranged in an ergonomically adapted manner, and a cylindrical keyboard that can be held in the palm of your hand (See Patent Document 2).

  Conventionally, there has been disclosed a computer input device that enables input while being held by hand (see Patent Documents 3 and 4). Patent Document 3 discloses an input device having a configuration in which one button is arranged corresponding to each of five fingers in a pseudo manner. Patent Document 4 discloses a keyboard-type input device that is a left-right pair.

JP 59-98264 A JP 2000-231435 A JP 2005-128826 A JP-A-2005-128827

  Recently, there is a desire to operate a mobile terminal or take notes with a writing instrument while operating a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). There is. Specifically, when operating a tablet PC, from a user who wants to operate the tablet using another writing instrument such as a stylus pen or take notes with another writing instrument such as a ballpoint pen. There is a request. It is desired to develop an input device that can meet such a demand from a user-friendly viewpoint.

  However, each of the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 requires a nearby writing instrument to operate a tablet using a stylus pen or take notes with a ballpoint pen or the like during keyboard operation. There was a problem that you had to operate the tablet and take notes, and then operate the keyboard.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a stick-type input device that allows a user to operate a tablet or a memo without changing to another writing instrument while operating an input device such as a keyboard and can immediately perform key input operations. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a stick-type input device according to the present invention includes a shaft portion provided with an input portion for receiving data input upon receiving finger contact, and a writing instrument provided at one end of the shaft portion. It is characterized by having.

  According to the stick-type input device according to the present invention, the shaft portion has an input portion for receiving data input, and a writing instrument is provided at one end of the shaft portion. Therefore, the function as an input device such as a keyboard and the writing instrument Can be combined with functions. Thereby, the user of the stick type input device can operate the tablet or the memo without changing to another writing instrument while operating the input device such as the keyboard.

It is a front view of the stick type input device concerning this embodiment. It is a right view of the stick type input device concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected the stick type | mold input device and tablet type PC. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an input part. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the writing mode in which the position near the end of the axial part was grasped with the finger | toe with the user's right hand. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the input mode in which the intermediate position of the axial part was grasped by the user's right hand near the base of the finger of the palm. It is a figure which shows the example which allocated the vowel to each input key. It is a figure which shows the example which allocated the consonant to each input key. It is a figure explaining input operation of "." And ",". It is a front view which shows the example which performs input operation with respect to tablet type PC with a left finger. It is a back view which shows the example which performs input operation with respect to tablet type PC with a left finger. It is a figure which shows the example which allocated the consonant to each input key.

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

FIG. 1 is a front view of the stick-type input device 1. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the stick-type input device 1.

[Overall configuration of stick-type input device 1]
In this embodiment, a case where a so-called three-core ballpoint pen type stick type input device is used as the stick type input device 1 will be described as an example. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stick-type input device 1 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 2, an input portion 20 provided on the shaft portion 2, and a writing instrument provided on one end 2 a of the shaft portion 2. 3. Here, the writing instrument 3 is a stylus pen, a ballpoint pen, a mechanical pencil, a fountain pen, a brush, a marker, or the like. The writing instrument 3 in this embodiment is a ball-point pen, and three different colors are incorporated so that they can appear and disappear. The input unit 20 has a large number of finger detection sensors (not shown) arranged on the entire shaft 2, or as shown in FIG. 1 and others, the vicinity of one end 2 c of the shaft 2, the middle 2 d of the shaft 2, and others An input key 21 for bringing a finger into contact with the end 2b is disposed.

The input unit 20 in this embodiment is a film in which a large number of finger detection sensors (not shown) are provided in the vicinity of one end 2c and the middle 2d of the shaft portion 2 at positions corresponding to fingers on the outer peripheral portion of the shaft portion 2. May be affixed. As a result, when the input unit 20 is gripped by the four fingers excluding the thumb with the four fingers excluding the other end 2b of the shaft unit 2 as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the one end 2a is a little finger and faces the other end 2b. Data can be received as a ring finger, middle finger, and index finger. Of course, for example, if the vicinity 2c and the middle 2d of the shaft part 2 are gripped by five fingers including the thumb, the one end 2a side is the little finger and the ring finger, middle finger, forefinger, thumb, etc. It is also possible to receive input.

On the other hand, the input keys 21 may be arranged at positions corresponding to four fingers excluding the thumb. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 5, and 6, the idea is embodied. The input key 21 in the middle 2 d of the shaft portion 2 has a switch at a position corresponding to four fingers except the thumb. You may do it. Thus, for example, when the thumb is brought into contact with the other end 2b of the shaft portion 2 and the middle 2d of the shaft portion 2 is gripped by the four fingers excluding the thumb, the switch of the input key 21 switches from the one end 2a. It is provided as an input position for each of four fingers in order toward the other end 2b. Data input from the little finger is performed at the input position closest to the one end 2a, and data input from the ring finger, the middle finger, and the index finger is performed at each of the input positions sequentially provided from the input position toward the other end 2b.

Three operating elements 4 corresponding to the respective colors are slidably attached to the peripheral wall portion on the other end 2b side of the shaft portion 2 so that the tip of the writing instrument 3 is projected and retracted along the axial direction of the shaft portion 2. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, a clip portion 7 is attached to the other end 2b side of the shaft portion 2, and is easily inserted and held in a pocket or notebook (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the writing instrument 3 is composed of, for example, three corresponding to three colors of red, blue, and black, and is provided so as to be able to appear in and out of the shaft portion 2 corresponding to use and non-use. . In FIG. 1, for example, only one writing tool 3 corresponding to black in use protrudes from one end 2 a of the shaft portion 2, and other writing tools 3 corresponding to red and blue when not in use are inside the shaft portion 2. It is stored in. Of course, in the case of one type of writing instrument 3, it may remain in a protruding state.

  Each of the three operators 4 and each of the three writing tools 3 can be linked by a known mechanism. That is, when one of the three operating elements 4 is operated along the axial direction, the other writing instrument 3 is left as it is, the corresponding writing instrument 3 moves along the axial direction, and the one end 2a of the shaft portion 2 is moved. It comes to protrude from.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the stick type input device 1 and the tablet type PC 100 are connected. The stick type input device 1 is connected to the tablet type PC 100 via a signal line 50 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. It is connected. Note that data communication between the stick-type input device 1 and the tablet PC 100 is not limited to a wired format, and may be a wireless format.

[Configuration of Tablet PC 100]
The tablet PC 100 has a main body 101 having a rectangular flat plate shape. A display unit 102 that displays information that occupies almost the entire area is provided on the front side of the main body unit 101.

On the front side of the main body 101, an input unit 103 for thumb is provided on the side of the display unit 102. On the back side of the main body 101, there are provided input units 104 for four fingers (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger) except the thumb. The input unit 104 is formed in an area where these four fingers can reach, and an input key (not shown) corresponding to each finger is provided there. The input keys of the input units 103 and 104 are configured using a known membrane switch, a resistive film type or a capacitance type touch panel, etc., and receive input upon receiving the contact of each finger.

[Configuration of input unit 20]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the input unit 20. The input unit 20 includes an input key 21 and a controller unit 22 that receives and controls the position and strength of contact with the input key 21.

[Configuration of input key 21]
The input key 21 is a membrane switch, a piezoelectric element, or a resistance wire strain element.

  The input key 21 is configured by a membrane switch using a pair of polyester films called an upper contact sheet (not shown) and a lower contact sheet (not shown) bonded together with a spacer (not shown) interposed therebetween, for example. The input key 21 has a switch configuration in which the upper contact sheet and the lower contact sheet are insulated by a spacer and electrically connected to the lower contact sheet when the upper contact sheet is pressed.

The controller unit 22 includes a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), an interface unit such as a USB or LAN (Local Area Network), a bus controller, etc. And various I / Os. The controller unit 22 controls the mode switching between the input mode and the writing mode and the data input permission in response to the position and strength of the finger touching the input key 21.

[Operation mode of stick-type input device 1]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state of the writing mode in which the position near the one end 2c of the shaft portion 2 is grasped with a finger by the right hand of the user. In the present embodiment, the position near the one end 2c of the shaft portion 2 refers to, for example, a position near 2 to 3 cm along the axial direction from one end 2a of the shaft portion 2 in the shaft portion 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state of the input mode in which the intermediate position of the shaft portion 2 is grasped near the base of the palm finger by the right hand of the user.

  When the user grips the shaft portion 2 and the user's right finger touches the input key 21 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, depending on the position and the strength of the contact pressure, it is simply held or in writing mode. The input mode is discriminated. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the shaft portion 2 is gripped by the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger and each finger contacts the input key 21, each contact is detected by the input key 21. Specifically, a change in the current value between the contact sheets corresponding to the input keys 21 with which the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger are in contact is detected. In FIG. 6, the input key 21 is hidden by the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger. Although not shown, only the input key 21 corresponding to the thumb is provided on the other end 2 b of the shaft portion 2.

  The controller unit 22 determines whether or not the pressure applied by the finger contact is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold by detecting a change in the current value. When the pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the controller unit 22 accepts finger contact and allows data input. The predetermined threshold value is determined for each input key 21 or predetermined value for the entire finger.

  The controller unit 22 transmits a data input signal permitted through each input key 21 to the tablet PC 100.

  The controller unit 22 of the present embodiment sets the operation mode of the stick type input device 1 to either the writing mode or the input mode according to the position where the shaft unit 2 is gripped.

[About writing mode]
As shown in FIG. 5, the writing mode refers to writing such as taking a memo with the writing tool 3 that has been protruded in advance by holding the vicinity 2 c of the end of the shaft portion 2 with the thumb, index finger, or middle finger. It is a mode that can be operated.

  The controller unit 22 sets the operation mode to the writing mode when the input unit 20 detects a finger grip at the position 2c near one end of the shaft unit 2. Thereby, the stick type input device 1 functions as a writing mode.

[About input mode]
In the input mode, as shown in FIG. 6, when the intermediate position of the shaft portion 2 is grasped by the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, the user performs an operation of inputting characters or the like to the input unit 20. This is a possible mode.

  The controller unit 22 sets the operation mode to the input mode when the input unit 20 detects gripping of a finger at an intermediate position of the shaft unit 2. Thereby, the stick type input device 1 functions as an input mode.

  In the input mode, among the five input keys 21 for input, for example, a combination of pressing the two input keys 21 simultaneously with the index finger and the ring finger enables the input of 50 Japanese sounds. In the input operation using the five input keys 21, it is possible to input characters by 2 5, that is, 32 combinations.

The 32 combinations include a combination in which all the five input keys 21 are not pressed, so that characters are input in 31 combinations obtained by subtracting one from 32. However, 31 combinations are not sufficient to input 50 Japanese sounds. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to secure a combination sufficient for inputting Japanese 50 sounds, one character is input by two input operations on the input key 21. In the following, a one-character input mode by two input operations may be referred to as two-step. Specifically, a consonant is input by the first input operation, and a vowel is input by the second input operation. This makes it possible to input characters by 31 squares, that is, 961 combinations.

Specifically, in the stick-type input device 1 according to the present embodiment, there are exactly five combinations of pressing only one input key among combinations of pressing five input keys 21. Vowels are assigned.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which a vowel is assigned to each input key. In FIG. 7, “stage” is in contact with the input key 21 </ b> A that is in contact with the thumb, “stage” is in the input key 21 </ b> B in which the index finger is in contact, “stage” is in contact with the input key 21 </ b> C in which the middle finger is in contact, “Stage” is assigned to the input key 21D, and “stair” is assigned to the input key 21E with which the little finger contacts.

Since the input to the input keys 21A to 21E is an operation with one hand holding the shaft portion 2 of the stick-type input device 1, when a plurality of input keys 21A to 21E are arranged, one of the input keys is input. As the finger (for example, the little finger) moves, the other finger (for example, the ring finger) moves and the other input key is input to cause an erroneous input. Therefore, in order to prevent such an erroneous input, by applying a correction that increases the threshold for detecting the contact of another finger (for example, ring finger), the other finger (for example, the little finger) moved by the movement of the finger (for example, the little finger) For example, the input of the ring finger may not be accepted. The correction process to prevent such an erroneous input is not only to prevent dragging by the combination of the little finger and ring finger, but also by pressing the combination of the index finger and middle finger, or by pressing the combination of the middle finger and ring finger. It is also effective when preventing.

It should be noted that “Adan” is contrary to the promise of inputting one character by two input operations as described above if it can be input by only one input operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is considered that “dan” also has consonants. Then, there are 15 consonant sounds: “A, K, S, T, N, H, M, Y, R, W, G, Z, B, P,”.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which consonants are assigned to the input keys. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, for example, an input key 21 </ b> A that makes contact with the thumb is assigned to “Wa”. Further, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 8, a combination of, for example, an input key 21 </ b> A that comes into contact with the thumb and an input key 21 </ b> B that comes into contact with the index finger is assigned to “Ta row”. Furthermore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, a combination consisting of, for example, an input key 21 </ b> A that makes contact with the thumb and an input key 21 </ b> C that makes contact with the middle finger is assigned to “row”.

  Note that in the Japanese 50-sound, the Washi step (Roman character notation “wu”) and the Do step (Roman character notation “yi”) are vacant. Therefore, in the present embodiment, “.”, Which can be associated with the shape of the mouth when “uu” is pronounced, is assigned to the Roman notation “wu”, and the mouth when “ii” is pronounced in the Roman notation “yi”. "," That can be associated with the form of is assigned.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an input operation of “.” And “,”. In the upper left side of FIG. 9, the input keys 21A to 21E with which the thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger come into contact are indicated by “◯”. In the upper right side of FIG. 9, a state where the input key is pressed by each finger is indicated by “●”, and a state where the input key is not pressed is indicated by “◯”.

  9 shows an example in which “.” (“Wu”) is input by two input operations to the input key 21. In this example, as shown on the left side of the middle part of FIG. 9, “w” is input by pressing the input key 21 </ b> A with the thumb in the first input operation on the input key 21. Subsequently, as shown in the lower left side of FIG. 9, “u” is input by pressing the input key 21 </ b> A with the thumb in the second input operation on the input key 21. Thereby, the input of “.” Is completed.

  Similarly, the middle right side and the lower right side of FIG. 9 show an example in which “,” (“yi”) is input by two input operations. In this example, “y” is input by pressing the input key 21D with the ring finger in the first input operation, as shown on the right side of the middle part of FIG. Subsequently, as shown on the lower right side of FIG. 9, “u” is input by pressing the input key 21 </ b> D with the ring finger in the second input operation. Thereby, the input of “,” is completed.

[Character input using both stick-type input device 1 and tablet PC 100]
In the above description, an example in which one character is input by two input operations on the input key 21 of the stick-type input device 1 is described. However, characters are input using both the stick-type input device 1 and the tablet PC 100. Is also possible. Here, since the input operation with respect to the stick type input device 1 and the input operation with respect to the tablet PC 100 are simultaneously performed, it is possible to input characters in one step. One step means a one-character input mode by one input operation. Of course, one-step character input can be realized by simultaneously performing an input operation on the stick-type input device 1 and an input operation on another stick-type input device different from the stick-type input device 1.

  FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example in which an input operation is performed on the tablet PC 100 with the left hand finger. FIG. 11 is a back view illustrating an example in which an input operation is performed on the tablet PC 100 with the left hand finger.

In this example, a consonant is input by an input operation on the input keys of the input units 103 and 104 of the tablet PC 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the thumb touches the input key 103 </ b> A of the input unit 103. As shown in FIG. 11, the index finger is in contact with the input key 104A of the input unit 104, the middle finger is in contact with the input key 104B, the ring finger is in contact with the input key 104C, and the little finger is in contact with the input key 104D.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which consonants are assigned to the input key 103A and the input keys 104A to 104D. Here, it is assumed that there is a consonant in “Adan” as in FIG. Therefore, there are 15 consonants: “A, K, S, T, N, H, M, R, W, G, Z, B, P”. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 12, for example, an input key 103 </ b> A with which the thumb touches is assigned to “Wa”. As shown in the middle part of FIG. 12, a combination of, for example, an input key 103A that comes into contact with the thumb and an input key 104A that comes into contact with the index finger is assigned to “Ta row”. Further, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 12, a combination of, for example, an input key 103A that contacts the thumb and an input key 104B that contacts the middle finger is assigned to the “line”.

[effect]
Next, effects of the stick type input device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As described above, according to the stick-type input device 1 according to the present embodiment, since the shaft portion 2 has the input portion 20 and the writing tool 3 is provided at one end 2a of the shaft portion 2, the function as an input device such as a keyboard. Can be combined with the function as a writing instrument. Thereby, the user of the stick-type input device 1 can operate the tablet or the memo without changing to another writing instrument while performing the input operation of the keyboard or the like. That is, the writing mode and the input mode can be switched instantaneously.

Specifically, the stick type input device 1 can set the operation mode of the stick type input device 1 to either the writing mode or the input mode according to the position where the shaft portion 2 is gripped. That is, when the position where the input unit 20 has received the input is concentrated on the input key 21 at the position 2c near one end of the shaft unit 2, the stick-type input device 1 recognizes that the user is grasping as the writing tool 3 and writes the writing tool. Can function in mode. On the other hand, when the position where the input unit 20 has received the input is concentrated on the input key 21 at the intermediate position of the shaft unit 2, the stick type input device 1 recognizes that the user is holding for the input operation. Can function in input mode.

Further, in the stick type input device 1, the input unit 20 indicates the input key 21 for detecting the pressure given by the touch of the finger, and indicates the intention to input rather than simply having it when the pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. And a controller unit 22 for detecting contact between the object and the finger. Therefore, as long as the area has such a configuration, the input unit 20 can be configured anywhere regardless of the usage situation such as the size of the user's hand and the habit of operation. Therefore, the user can perform a stable input operation regardless of the use situation.

  Further, in the stick-type input device 1, the predetermined threshold value is determined separately for each of a plurality of fingers, so that it can be flexibly adapted to the kind and position of fingers such as the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, finger size and operation habit. The size of the predetermined threshold can be adjusted. Of course, it is also possible to predetermine the whole of a plurality of fingers.

  Further, since the stick type input device 1 includes the clip portion 7 on the other end 2b side of the shaft portion 2, the portability of the stick type input device 1 can be improved.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that a specific structure is not limited to these embodiment. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of the claims. Further, changes in the structure of the claimed invention are also included without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stick type input device 2 Shaft part 2a One end 2b The other end 2c One end vicinity 2d Middle 3 Writing implement 7 Clip part 20 Input part 21 Input key

Claims (8)

A shaft portion provided with an input portion for receiving data input in response to finger contact;
A stick-type input device having a writing instrument provided at one end of the shaft portion. In claim 1,
The input unit has a stick-type input device in which an input key with which a finger contacts is arranged near the one end of the shaft portion, and at the middle and the other end of the shaft portion. In claim 2,
The stick-type input device, wherein the input key is provided with a number of finger detection sensors in the entire middle of the shaft portion. In claim 3,
The stick type input device, wherein the input key in the middle of the shaft portion has a switch corresponding to four fingers excluding the thumb. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The writing instrument comprises one or a plurality of writing instruments, and is provided so as to be able to appear and retract in the shaft portion in correspondence with use and non-use. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
When the input unit detects that the position near the one end of the shaft is grasped with a finger, it functions as a writing mode,
A stick-type input device that functions as an input mode when the input unit detects that the intermediate position of the shaft is gripped near the base of a finger of a palm. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The input part of the shaft part is
A stick-type input device that allows data input when the pressure applied by the finger contact is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In claim 7,
The stick-type input device, wherein the input unit is configured such that the predetermined threshold is determined for each finger or a predetermined value for the entire finger.