JP3109683B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates, for example, a word processor, a personal computer, it relates to an input equipment for performing information input such as an image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Input devices for inputting information using input members such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an input tablet, such as a word processor, a personal computer, and an image processing device, have been known. Conventionally, no such device has a means for generating fragrance.

[0003]

However, it has been known that when a human performs some kind of input operation, the fragrance at the time of inputting is related to an input error. For example, it is known that, when an aroma such as a lavender, jasmine, or lemon is applied, an input error such as an operator's mistype is reduced as compared with a case without an aroma.

Therefore, if a means for generating incense is provided in the input device, input errors by the user can be reduced. However, simply providing the fragrance generation unit, it causes diverges incense even when not in use of the apparatus, which is wasteful. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an input device provided with a scent generating means, which can emit scent at an appropriate time in accordance with the use state of the input device, thereby preventing unnecessary divergence .

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the input device, input means for inputting information, and incense generating means for generating a scent, the input
A first configuration having control means for controlling the divergent state of the scent generated by the scent generating means depending on whether or not the apparatus is powered on is adopted. Further information
Input means for inputting, and incense generating means for generating the incense, before
According to the use state of the input means, the incense generating means
Dissipates incense to make the emission of incense differ
Control means for controlling the opening and closing of the lid of
Configuration was adopted. Further, input means for inputting information
When, holding means for holding a removable fragrances for generating incense
When, in accordance with the use state of said input means, said holding means
Controlling the divergent state of incense generated
A third configuration having control means is employed. In addition,
Input means for inputting information, and incense generating means for generating incense,
According to the use state of the input means, the incense generating means
System to control the divergent state of incense generated
Control means and means for detecting the remaining amount of the scent source of the scent generating means
For notifying the remaining amount detected by the detecting means.
And a display means for displaying information.
Was.

[0006]

According to the first configuration of the input device , the input device
Depending on whether the power is turned on or not.
The divergent state of incense is controlled to be different. Also, the second
According to the configuration, incense is generated according to the use state of the input means.
The incense is distributed so that the divergent state of the incense generated by the means is different.
The opening and closing of the diverging portion of the lid is controlled. In addition, the third structure
According to the configuration, incense is generated according to the use state of the input means.
Generated by the holding means for holding the removable fragrance
The divergent state of incense is controlled to be different. Also, the fourth
According to the configuration, the scent-generating hand is set according to the use state of the input means.
The divergent state of incense generated by each stage is controlled to be different
And the remaining amount of the scent source of the scent generation means is detected.
Information for notifying the remaining amount is displayed.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a fragrance source mounted on the input device of the present invention. Reference numeral 1A denotes a sponge, which is impregnated with a fragrance source such as a fragrance or a fragrance source such as a fragrance, or adhered thereto by dusting. As the fragrance source, a lavender-based, jasmine-based, lemon-based fragrance, or a fragrance, which is effective against input errors, is used.

1B is a lower case for holding a sponge,
A hole 1D is made in some places to make fragrance easy to emit. An upper case 1C is used for storing a sponge together with the lower case 1B.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which this is incorporated in a machine. Here, the fragrance generation source of FIG. 1 is incorporated in the main body 21 of an electronic device such as a word processor or a personal computer.

In the drawing, reference numeral 2A denotes a hole for emitting fragrance, and the fragrance generating source shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated at the rear of the hole 2A. FIG. 2A is an example in which the keyboard 22 is incorporated in the electronic device main body 21. FIG. 2B is a diagram in which a hole 2B is provided in a keyboard 22 arranged at a position closer to the user, and FIG. The fragrance source is incorporated.

According to the above embodiment, since the amount of mistypes is reduced due to the fragrance, the efficiency of the input operation can be expected and the user's fatigue can be suppressed.

If a fragrance source is simply incorporated into the apparatus and the fragrance is exposed to the atmosphere, the fragrance of the fragrance source will continue to be emitted even when the apparatus is not in use, and will be wasted. Therefore, a configuration is considered in which fragrance is generated when the power is turned on, and fragrance generation is stopped when the power is turned off.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which only one surface of the box 3B for storing the sponge 3A impregnated with the fragrance of the fragrance source is filled with a hole for fragrance diffusion, and the surface is covered with a lid 3C.

The lid 3C is opened and closed by a motor 3D to cover or open a hole for fragrance emission. The motor 3D winds up when the power is turned on and holds the lid at a certain position. However, when the power is turned off, the power for holding the lid of the motor is lost, so the lid 3C falls by its own weight and closes the hole for fragrance emission. The lid 3C may return to its original position when the power is turned off by a spring or the like, or a solenoid or the like may be used as a drive source.

In such a configuration, when the power of the apparatus is turned off, generation of fragrance is suppressed, so that fragrance is prevented from being wasted when not in use. By disposing the source of the fragrance near the fan, the fragrance efficiently reaches the nose of the user.

A method of controlling the fragrance using a ventilation fan, which is often provided to suppress an increase in the internal temperature of the device without providing an independent drive source, is also conceivable.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the fan is arranged near a fan. The device main body 21 in FIG. 4A has a hole 4A for fan discharge on a side surface, and an electric fan 4C is provided inside the housing 4D as shown in FIG. 4B. The electric fan 4C is driven during the power-on period of the device in order to suppress a rise in the internal temperature of the device, and discharges air inside the device to the outside. In the present embodiment, the scent-dissipating force is improved by using the discharge force of the fan.

In FIG. 4B, reference numeral 4B denotes a fragrance generating source, which is arranged near the fan 4C in the housing. In this configuration, since there is a fragrance generation source near the fan, the fragrance of the fragrance generation source 4B is discharged out of the device by the discharge force of the fan during the power-on period of the apparatus. Therefore, a warm air flow 4F inside the device and a fragrant air flow 4G are generated.

In this configuration, an independent drive source is not required, so that the configuration can be made at lower cost. However, in order to extend the life of the fragrance of the fragrance source, it is considered preferable to use a structure for sealing the fragrance source as shown in FIG. In that case, it is conceivable to use the motor driving force of the fan 4C via an appropriate deceleration device or the like instead of the motor 3D (FIG. 3).

Also, since it is inconvenient for the user to emit fragrance even when the user feels unnecessary, the configuration shown in FIGS. It may be possible to do so.

It is also conceivable that fragrance is generated only during a period when an input is actually being made with a keyboard or the like. In this case, using a key input signal or the like, a configuration is used in which the motor shown in FIG. 3 is opened only at the time of input processing, not at power-on, in synchronization with the key input.

By forming the fragrance only during the input processing, it is possible to eliminate the time-consuming scent loss during the processing.

Further, the fragrance is generated during the use period by using the operation force of the user without using a motor or the like.
It is also conceivable to stop fragrance generation during periods of non-use.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard 51, which is an input device, can be covered by the display device 5A like a lid during a non-use period. Such a configuration is widely used in devices such as laptops and notebooks. FIG.
In the configuration of (A), a hole 5B for fragrance diffusion is provided on a surface (operation surface) covered when the display device 5A is closed, and a fragrance generation source is arranged behind the hole 5B. When the non-use display device 5A is closed, the hole of 5B is closed, and in use, when the display device 5A is opened, fragrance is generated.

With this structure, the fragrance can be diffused only when the display device is opened. In FIG. 5B, reference numeral 5C denotes a portion where the fragrance generation source is housed in the device.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of the fragrance and to inspire the user to input. Further, this configuration is less expensive because no driving source is used, and furthermore, the display device 5A
Depending on the design of the hermeticity of closing the fragrance, the fragrance source can last longer.

The fragrance source such as the fragrance source shown in FIG. 1 or the fragrance source is supplied in a form impregnated in the sponge 1A or in the form of a liquid so that the user can replace it. Is good.

Alternatively, the entire fragrance source may be supplied and the assembly may be replaced. FIG. 6 shows a configuration for this purpose. As shown in the figure, an opening 6A for inserting the fragrance generation source is provided in a housing such as the keyboard 22 of the device, and the fragrance generation source 6B is mounted here by a fixing structure such as fitting of a plastic claw.

If the fragrance generating source 6B is formed in a box shape as shown in FIG. 1, the replacement becomes easier.

Of course, it is possible to keep the fragrance source 6B out of the box.
The housing of the device may be covered with a lid, thereby improving the appearance of the device. FIG. 6 shows an application to the keyboard 22, but it is obvious that a similar configuration can be applied to the device main body.

In the above, an example has been described in which a single fragrance is generated by a single fragrance source, but the fragrance to be generated may be selectable. FIG. 7 shows a configuration for that.
This can also be realized by a modification of the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a fragrance generating source 7 mounted on the apparatus.
A and 7B are shown, which may be a plurality of those shown in FIG. 3 or may be integrally formed as having a plurality of box portions for accommodating sponges of two fragrance sources.

The fragrance generating sources 7A and 7B have lids 7 respectively.
E and 7F are provided, and the lids 7E and 7F are opened and closed by motors 7C and 7D, respectively.

The motors 7C and 7D are driven by a user's instruction.
It is selectively driven, so that the user's favorite aroma can be generated. In FIG. 7, the fragrance of 7A is generated, and the fragrance of 7B is suppressed.

As described above, if a plurality of fragrance generating sources are mounted, it is possible to cope with the fragrance desired by the user.

A plurality of input modes (for example, English /
Japanese text input mode, image / text input mode, etc.)
In some cases, the fragrance may be automatically selected according to the input mode.

That is, an adhesive portion 8A such as a double-sided tape is attached to a fragrance member 8B such as sponge or cloth impregnated with a fragrance as shown in FIG. 8A, and a keyboard 8C as shown in FIG. 8B. By sticking it on a housing such as 22, a fragrance can be generated.

This makes it possible to generate fragrance from the input device at low cost. In addition, in the case of the electronic device having the form shown in FIG. With such a configuration, a similar effect can be obtained for a machine in which the fragrance generation source is not embedded. The fragrance member 8B is optional and can be supplied from a third party so that it can be used for products of other manufacturers.

The consumption of the fragrance source can be detected, and the user can be notified of the exhaustion of the fragrance source. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is a diagram in which an aroma detection sensor 9B is attached to an aroma generation source 9A mounted on the device. When the sponge 9A impregnated with the fragrance no longer has the fragrance, the output of the fragrance detecting means disappears, so that it is possible to detect the fragrance and to notify the operator by means of a display or the like that the fragrance has run out.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic device in that case. Reference numeral 10A is a CPU that controls the entire system.
The output of the fragrance detection sensor 10B is detected, and the display device 10C
Is displayed to that effect. Reference numeral 10D denotes a memory used as a storage area or a work area for a control program when displaying.

FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure of the CPU 10A. Step S1 is a process other than fragrance detection, that is,
Performs input processing of characters, images, etc. Then, the fragrance detection processing is performed in step S2. Then, again, step S
Return to 1. The selection of steps S1 and S2 can be performed, for example, by activating step S2 by a timer interrupt.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the fragrance detection processing in step S2.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the scent detection process. In step S3, it is determined whether or not there is an output of the fragrance detection unit 9B. At some point, the fragrance is still left, so the process exits this fragrance detection process. When there is no fragrance, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the display device 10C displays that the fragrance such as the fragrance and the fragrance has run out, and ends the process.

With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the fragrance disappears and the number of mistypes increases without knowing it.

In each of the above embodiments, a box-shaped product is made and a sponge impregnated with fragrance is used as a source of fragrance. However, the present invention is effective even if realized by other methods.

For example, using a substance that emits a fragrance that reaches a certain temperature or higher, the threshold temperature is set by turning the heater on and off, or pressure is applied to suppress the opening and closing of the outlet of the sealed fragrance. It can also be realized by such a method. Of course, in order to suppress the generation of fragrance, a method of lowering the temperature and making it difficult to evaporate may be used instead of closing the lid.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the sponge can be taken out.
Or, since the sponge is visible, when the fragrance is gone, the liquid that is the source of the fragrance can be sucked into the sponge again, so that the box of the fragrance source can be used many times. The remaining amount of the fragrance may be notified by discoloration of the fragrance or the like.

In the fragrance detection, the presence or absence of fragrance is detected. However, if the amount can be detected, the user can be notified before the fragrance is exhausted, so that the next fragrance generation source can be prepared. Become.

Further, in an apparatus having a plurality of fragrance generating sources, it is possible to generate an arbitrary fragrance by changing the generation ratio.

Although the keyboard is shown as an input member in the above description, it is needless to say that the same configuration can be applied to an input device using a mouse or an input tablet instead of the keyboard. It can be attached to the inside of a mouse or input tablet.

[0052]

As is clear from the above, according to the present invention ,
According to the first configuration of the input device, when the power of the input device is turned on.
It is possible to control the divergent state of the scent generated by the scent generating means depending on whether the scent is generated or not .
Ri, it is possible to prevent the wasteful divergence incense. Also, the second
According to the configuration, incense is generated according to the use state of the input means.
Different divergent state of incense generated by means
In addition, it is possible to control the opening and closing of the lid that emits incense.
To prevent unnecessary release of incense
You. Further, according to the third configuration, the use state of the input means is changed.
Holds a removable fragrance to generate scent, depending on
Different divergent state of incense generated by means
Can be controlled, thereby releasing waste incense
Can be prevented. Also, according to the fourth configuration, the input means
Depending on the use condition of the step, the incense generated by the incense generating means
The divergence state can be controlled to be different.
This will prevent unnecessary incense emission
The remaining amount of the scent source of the scent generation means is detected and the remaining amount is notified.
Can be displayed.

[0053]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a fragrance generating source of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which the fragrance generation source of the present invention is mounted on an input device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method for suppressing fragrance generation according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a fragrance generating source arranged near a fan of the input device in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the input device of the present invention in which a cover such as a display device suppresses generation of fragrance.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a replaceable fragrance generating source of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a structure for selectively generating a fragrance according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a fragrance generating source that can be attached to an input device by pasting in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration for detecting fragrance of a fragrance generating source according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration for performing fragrance detection.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control processing of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a fragrance detection process of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A Sponge to infiltrate fragrance 2A, 2B Hole to radiate fragrance 3C Lid to suppress fragrance generation 4C Fan 5B Hole to radiate fragrance covered by display device 6A Opening for fragrance generation source 7C, 7D Open and close lid Motor to perform 8A Adhesive part 9B Aroma detection sensor

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-64122 (JP, A) JP-A-2-130337 (JP, A) JP-A-3-152322 (JP, A) , U) JP-A 63-199224 (JP, U) JP 1-90430 (JP, U) JP-A 60-13476 (JP, Y2)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An input means for inputting information, a scent generating means for generating a scent, and a control to make the divergent state of the scent generated by the scent generating means different depending on whether or not the input device is turned on. An input device, comprising: 2. An input means for inputting information, a scent generating means for generating a scent , and a scent generating means according to a use state of the input means.
The incense is emitted so that the state of incense emanating differs.
Input device you; and a control means for controlling the opening and closing portion of the lid to be dispersed. 3. An input means for inputting information, a holding means for holding a removable fragrance for generating scent, and a holding means in accordance with a use state of the input means.
Control to control the divergent state of generated incense
Input device you; and a means. 4. An input means for inputting information, a scent generating means for generating a scent , and a scent generating means according to a use state of the input means.
System to control the divergent state of incense generated
Control means; means for detecting the remaining amount of the scent source of the scent generating means; and information for notifying the remaining amount detected by the detecting means.
Input device you; and a display means for displaying.