JP4237596B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which can be operated in a digital input mode without damaging operability in an analog input mode. <P>SOLUTION: The resistance element and low resistor at each contact are set to a preliminarily abutted state when an operation element is unoperated, so that the occurrence of any dead zone is prevented, and that operability in an analog input mode can be prevented from being damaged. Then, a decision value R1 is set when a digital input mode is set, and an output is set to be OFF until an output exceeds the decision value R1. Thus, the OFF output is not switched to an ON output until this input device is operated with a predetermined pressed stroke as a result so that operability can be prevented from being damaged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device capable of analog input whose output changes according to an operation stroke, and more particularly to an input device capable of digital input as required.

  As an input device of a game device or a personal computer, there is a device whose output changes in an analog manner based on a change in a pressing stroke or a pressing force.

The input device described in Patent Document 1 below is provided with a stick-like operation element supported in a tiltable manner and four contacts on the upper, lower, left, and right sides that are operated based on the tilting operation of the operation element. When the operator is tilted in any direction, the contact area of the counter electrode of the contact is changed according to the tilt angle of the operator, and the output changes in an analog manner.
JP 2000-348574 A

  Depending on the type of game, there are not only those that support analog input as shown in Patent Document 1 above, but also those that support only on and off digital inputs. Are preferably switched. Therefore, in order to enable digital input in the input device capable of analog input shown in Patent Document 1, the opposing electrodes of the contacts are turned off so as not to contact each other when the operator is not operated, and the operator is turned off. It is necessary to control to turn on when the counter electrode is in contact with the touch panel.

  However, if the distance between the electrodes facing each other is set to be far away, there will be a large dead zone when operating in the analog input mode, and there will be a situation where no output can be obtained even if the operator is operated. I can't get it.

  Therefore, in order to obtain a good feeling of operation, if the distance between the opposing electrodes is set very narrow, the dead zone is almost eliminated and good operability can be obtained. However, with such a setting, the output is easily turned on only by touching the operation element or by operating with a light load, and the operation with digital input becomes very difficult.

  Further, as described above, there are four-direction input devices having contacts on the top, bottom, left, and right, which are used as an eight-direction input device by simultaneously turning on the two-direction contacts such as the upper side and the right side. In such an eight-direction input device, when the two-direction contacts are positively turned on at the same time in order to obtain angular characteristics in the analog input, the angle range recognized as the oblique direction in the digital input becomes too wide, and the shaft There arises a problem that it is difficult to obtain a direction output.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides an input device that can use both an analog input mode and a digital input mode and that does not impair operability in any mode. For the purpose.

The present invention includes an operating body that can tilt in all directions with the center as a fulcrum, and is positioned on the X axis and the Y axis that are orthogonal to each other at a distance from the center by the same distance. In an input device having four resistance detection units, and a control unit to which a detection output from the resistance detection unit is given when each of the resistance detection units is pressed by the operating body ,
The resistance detecting unit of their respective, the resistance elements than the resistance element facing and a low resistance having a low resistance, the magnitude of the pressing force when the resistance detection unit in the operating body is pressed Accordingly, the contact area between the resistance element and the low resistance body is changed , the resistance value is changed, and the detection output based on the change in the resistance value is obtained .
Wherein the control unit, to the detection output from each of the resistance detection unit as well as determining whether the operating body is tilted in any direction on the basis of the detection output from a plurality of the resistance detecting unit is predetermined a detection operation of the digital input mode in which the direction of operation by the operation tool is determined to be oN output when the value exceeds threshold, the magnitude of the detection output from each of the resistance detection unit of the on-output The analog input mode is determined to determine the change in the magnitude of the pressing operation force of the operation body later,
In the detection operation of the digital input mode, when it is determined that the operation body is tilted in the direction along the X axis or the direction along the Y axis and the resistance detection unit is pressed by the operation body , When the detection output exceeds the first threshold value, it is determined as the ON output, and when it is determined that the operation body is tilted in the middle direction between the direction along the X axis and the direction along the Y axis. Is characterized in that the ON output is determined when the detection outputs respectively obtained from the plurality of resistance detection units exceed a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value. It is.

  In the present invention, since the output is set so as not to be turned on until a predetermined determination value is exceeded, even if the electrode interval is set short in consideration of the operability in the analog input mode, the digital input mode The operability of is not impaired.

With the above configuration, digital input in eight directions with good operability is possible.

  The resistance element and the low resistance body may be in contact with each other before the operation body is operated. With this setting, the dead zone when operating in the analog input mode can be eliminated, and the operability is improved.

  According to the present invention, the analog input mode and the digital input mode can be operated with a single operation body, and a good operational feeling can be obtained in any input mode.

  Further, even if the operating body is set so that the electrodes are in contact with each other when not being operated, the operability is not impaired in both the analog input mode and the digital input mode.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the input device, FIG. 2 is a plan view when the input device is viewed from the operation surface side, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the control unit when the digital input mode is set, and FIGS. 7 to 10 are explanatory diagrams of the flowchart of FIG. There is a reference example for explaining the basic configuration of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the input device 1 includes an operation body 2 made of synthetic resin or metal. The operation body 2 is formed with operation portions 2x1, 2x2, 2y1, 2y2 extending in four directions of the X direction and the Y direction. Further, a support protrusion 2a is integrally formed at the center of the lower surface of the operation body 2, and slit-like long holes 2d are formed in the lower surface of the operation portions 2x1, 2x2, 2y1, and 2y so as to extend in the axial direction. Has been. Further, four flanges 2 b are integrally formed around the support protrusion 2 a, and a part of each flange 2 b protrudes from the side surface of the operating body 2.

  An elastic support member 3 is provided on the lower surface side of the operation body 2. The elastic support member 3 is provided with elastic pressing bodies 3b facing the operation portions 2x1, 2x2, 2y1, and 2y2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic pressing body 3b is integrally formed with a pressing portion 3b1 that is compressible and deformable and a thin rib 3b2 that is elastically deformable and prevents the pressing portion 3b1 from being inclined. It is. The elastic pressing body 3b is the same member, and the elastic pressing bodies 3b are integrally formed. A hole 3a is formed at the center of the elastic support member 3, and the support protrusion 2a is inserted into the hole 3a. The elastic support member 3 has a plurality of notches (not shown), and the flanges 2b are inserted into the notches.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a protrusion 3t is integrally formed upward on the upper surface of each elastic pressing body 3b. Each projection 3t is inserted into the elongated hole 2d, and the operating body 2 is prevented from rotating with respect to the elastic support member 3.

  A film-like detection substrate 4 is provided on the lower surface of the elastic support member 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection substrate 4 has a three-layer structure of a lower sheet 4a, an upper sheet 4b, and a separation sheet 4m. Each sheet is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having flexibility and insulation. It is made of synthetic resin. A hole 4m1 is formed through the spacing sheet 4m at a position corresponding to each elastic pressing body 3b. A resistance element 6a is formed in the lower sheet 4a at the position of the hole 4m1, and the upper sheet 4b A low-resistance body 6b is formed, and the resistance element 6a and the low-resistance body 6b are supported so as to be able to contact and separate. Instead of the separation sheet 4m, an insulating resin film may be formed on one or both of the lower sheet 4a and the upper sheet 4b so as to ensure a space between the upper and lower sheets 4b and 4a. The contact 6 of the present embodiment is formed by the resistance element 6a and the low resistance body 6b which are counter electrodes.

  The resistance element 6a is a carbon film, and the pattern thereof is rectangular. The low resistance body 6b is a film having a lower electrical resistance than the resistance element 6a, and is a metal film such as silver, gold, or copper. . Electrode films 6c1 and 6c2 made of silver or copper are connected to both sides of the resistance element 6a. The resistance element 6a and the low resistance body 6b may be formed in a rectangular shape, or both may be formed in a circular shape, or the resistance element 6a may be formed in a rectangular shape and the low resistance body 6b. May be circular.

  A reinforcing member 5 formed of a metal plate or the like is provided on the lower surface of the detection substrate 4. Engagement pieces 5c and 5c are bent at the peripheral edge of the reinforcing member 5, and the engagement pieces 5c and 5c are inserted into holes 4c and 4c formed in the detection substrate 4, and further the elastic members It is inserted into slit-like locking holes 3 c and 3 c formed in the support member 3. At this time, a bent piece is formed in which the ends of the locking pieces 5c, 5c are bent outward, and the locking pieces 5c, 5c pass through the locking holes 3c, 3c of the elastic support member 3. The elastic support member 3 is locked by the bent piece so as not to come out.

  A method for attaching the input device 1 to the housing will be described below. A cross-shaped opening 10 a is formed on the surface of the housing 10 to which the input device 1 is mounted in accordance with the planar shape of the operation body 2. Positioning pins 12 and 12 are integrally formed on the inner surface 10b of the housing 10 in the vicinity of the opening 10a. The positioning pins 12 and 12 are through holes formed in the elastic support member 3. 3d, 3d, through holes 4d, 4d formed in the detection substrate 4, and further through the through holes 5d, 5d formed in the reinforcing member 5, respectively, the elastic support member 3, the detection substrate 4 The reinforcing member 5 is positioned with respect to the housing 10.

  At this time, the operating body 2 is inserted into the opening 10a of the housing 10 from the inside, and the flanges 2b are locked at the edge of the opening 10a, so that the operating body 2 is moved to the opening 10a. It is set not to come out from the outside.

  In the input device 1 according to the present embodiment, a part of the operation portions 2x1, 2x2, 2y1, 2y2 of the operation body 2 is supported so as to protrude outward from the opening 10a, and the operation portions 2x1, 2x2, 2y1 are supported. , 2y2 can be pressed. For example, when the operating portion 2x1 of the operating body 2 is pressed, the elastic pressing body 3b is pressed by the operating portion 2x1, and the detection substrate 4 is elastically deformed by the pressing portion 3b1 of the elastic pressing body 3b. The resistor 6b contacts the resistance element 6a. When the operation portion 2x1 is further pushed down, the pressing portion 3b1 of the elastic pressing body 3b is compressed and deformed, and the detection substrate 4 is further bent, and the contact area between the resistance element 6a and the low resistance body 6b increases. Note that the other operation units 2x2, 2y1, and 2y2 are operated in the same manner as described above when pressed.

  As the pressing stroke or pressing force of the operating portion 2x1 increases, the contact area between the resistance element 6a and the low resistance body 6b increases. Due to the increase in the contact area, the contact between the electrode film 6c1 and the electrode film 6c2 is increased. The electrical resistance value of the In other words, the voltage value between the electrode film 6c1 and the electrode film 6c2 changes in an analog manner as the pressing stroke or pressing force of the operation unit 2x1 increases.

  In the input device 1, the voltage value between the electrode films 6 c 1 and 6 c 2 is changed based on the pressing stroke or pressing force of the operation units 2 x 1, 2 x 2, 2 y 1, 2 y 2, and the output is generated based on the change in the voltage value. It is possible to switch between an analog input mode that changes continuously and a digital input mode in which the output is set to only on and off.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 30 that controls the input device 1 includes a CPU, a storage unit, an A / D conversion unit that converts an analog input signal into a digital signal, and gives it to the CPU, and an input unit (input port). Etc. which have IC etc.

  The resistive element 6a1 of the operating unit 2x1 and the resistive element 6a2 of the operating unit 2x2 are connected in series to form a resistive element array 6x, and the resistive element 6a3 of the operating unit 2y1 and the resistive element 6a4 of the operating unit 2y2 are connected in series. Thus, a resistor element array 6y is formed. The resistor element array 6x and the resistor element array 6y are connected in parallel. In FIG. 5, the resistance elements 6 a 1 and 6 a 2 correspond to the right operation section 2 x 1 and the left operation section 2 x 2 of the operation body 2, and the resistance elements 6 a 3 and 6 a 4 correspond to the upper operation section 2 y 1 and the lower operation section 2 y 1. This corresponds to the side operation unit 2y2. The resistance elements 6a1, 6a2, 6a3, and 6a4 are provided with low resistance bodies 6b1, 6b2, 6b3, and 6b4 that are operated by a single operating body 2 so as to face each other.

  In the resistor element row 6x, the midpoint of the resistor elements 6a1 and 6a2 is the X output portion 15x, and in the resistor element row 6y, the midpoint of the resistor elements 6a3 and 6a4 is the Y output portion 15y. The voltage value (Vx) obtained from the X output unit 15x is given to the X input A / D conversion unit 31 of the control unit 30, and the voltage value (Vy) obtained from the Y output unit 15y is obtained from the Y input A / D converter 32.

  A power supply voltage (Vdd) is applied to one parallel connection portion 16A of the resistor element row 6x and the resistor element row 6y. The other parallel connection portion 16B of the resistor element row 6x and the resistor element row 6y is set to the ground potential.

  It is necessary to set a long interval between the resistance elements 6a1 to 6a4 and the low resistance elements 6b1 to 6b4 so that the ON output and the OFF output function with good operability when the control unit 30 is set to the digital input mode. There is. However, when set in this way, a dead zone occurs in the analog input mode, and a state in which no output is obtained until the operating body 2 is pressed with a predetermined stroke occurs, and the operability is impaired. Conversely, if the gap between the resistance elements 6a1 to 6a4 and the low resistance bodies 6b1 to 6b4 is set as short as possible in order to reduce the dead zone, the resistance elements 6a1 to 6a4 and the low resistance when the operating body 2 is operated in the digital input mode. The bodies 6b1 to 6b4 are easily brought into contact with each other and the operability is impaired.

Therefore, in the input device 1, when the control unit 30 is set to the digital input mode, processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, each step is indicated by “ST”. In the following description, as described above, the operation unit 2x1 is the right side, the operation unit 2x2 is the left side, the operation unit 2y1 is the upper side, and the operation unit 2y2 is the lower side, and the four directions of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction, Upper right direction when the upper side is pressed simultaneously, upper left direction when the left side and upper side are pressed simultaneously, lower right direction when the right side and lower side are pressed simultaneously, and left side and lower side are pressed simultaneously A total of 8 directions in the lower left direction can be detected.

  For example, when the right operation unit 2x1 and the upper operation unit 2y1 are pressed together, the resistance elements 6a1, 6a3 and the low resistance members 6b1, 6b3 of the respective operation units 2x1, 2y1 come into contact with each other (ST1). Then, each voltage value (analog voltage) at the operation units 2x1 and 2y1 is captured (ST2). At this time, as indicated by point P1 in FIG. 7, the voltage value Vx is obtained from the contact on the right operation unit 2x1 side, and the voltage value Vy is obtained from the contact on the upper operation unit 2y1.

  In FIG. 7, assuming that the power supply voltage (Vdd) is set to V (volts), when the operating body 2 is not operated at all, it is obtained from the X output unit 15 x and the Y output unit 15 y in FIG. 5. Both voltage values to be obtained are V / 2, and this is held as a center value. This center value is updated as necessary. Therefore, in the resistance element array 6x, if the obtained voltage value (Vx) is higher than V / 2 (volt), it is recognized that the right operation unit 2x1 is operated, and if it is lower than V / 2 (volt). It is recognized that the left operation unit 2x2 has been operated. Similarly, in the resistance element array 6y, if the obtained voltage value (Vy) is higher than V / 2 (volt), it is recognized that the upper operation portion 2y1 has been operated, and more than V / 2 (volt). If it is low, it is recognized that the lower operation unit 2y2 has been operated.

  In ST2, as shown in FIG. 8, the voltage values Vx and Vy are AD-converted to obtain digital values (X, Y) as indicated by point P2. In the present embodiment, the X axis and the Y axis are each set to 128 divisions. However, the number of divisions is not limited to this and may be, for example, 256. Therefore, if the voltage value (Vx, Vy) = (V / 2, V / 2) is detected, the digital value (X, Y) = (0, 0) is output and the operating tool 2 is operated. Not recognized.

  Then, the process proceeds to ST3, where it is determined whether or not the digital value (X, Y) is output outside the determination value R1 shown in FIG. This determination value R1 has a circular shape centered on the intersection of the X axis and the Y axis. Therefore, when the digital value (X, Y) is detected inside the determination value R1, it is determined as an OFF output, and when it is detected outside the determination value R1, it is determined as an ON output.

  Then, the process proceeds to ST4 and the operation direction is determined. As shown in FIG. 10, the determination area outside the determination value R1 for determining the on output and the off output is further divided into a plurality of areas. That is, it is divided by the straight lines L1 to L8 with respect to the XY axis, and the straight lines L1 and L5 are formed on the same straight line through the center (intersection of the X axis and the Y axis). L6, straight lines L3 and L7, and straight lines L4 and L8 are formed on the same straight line through the center.

  Therefore, the region of the angle α including the X axis formed by the straight lines L8 and L1 is set in the right direction, and the region of the angle α including the X axis formed by the straight lines L4 and L5 is set in the left direction. In addition, the region of the angle α including the Y axis formed by the straight lines L2 and L3 is set upward, and the region of the angle α including the Y axis formed by the straight lines L6 and L7 is set downward. Then, the region of the angle β that does not include the X axis and the Y axis formed by the straight lines L1 and L2 is set in the upper right direction, the region of the angle β formed by the straight lines L3 and L4 is set in the upper left direction, and the straight line L5 And the region of angle β formed by L6 is set in the lower left direction, and the region of angle β formed by straight lines L7 and L8 is set in the lower right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, since the digital value (X, Y) is output in the determination region of the angle β formed by the straight lines L1 and L2, the control unit 30 uses the operation unit 2x1 and the operation unit 2y1. It is determined that the upper right direction has been operated, and an ON output signal is output together with a signal indicating the direction to the device body to which the input device 1 is connected (ST5).

  By providing the determination value R1 as described above, the ON output is not determined until the operating body 2 is operated with a predetermined pressing stroke or pressing force, so that the operability is not impaired in the analog input mode. Even if the distance between the resistance element 6a and the low resistance body 6b of each contact is set short, the operability in the digital input mode is not impaired.

  In addition, in the case where four contacts are provided on the top, bottom, left, and right, the outer side of the determination value R1 is further divided into eight regions as shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the four directions of the X axis direction and the Y axis direction. When two adjacent contacts in the circumferential direction are input simultaneously, the intermediate direction can be recognized.

  In addition, although the said control part 30 demonstrated what divided the direction determination area | region into eight, you may control so that it may divide | segment into four of an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction.

In the control unit 30 provided in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, a substantially cross-shaped determination value R2 as shown in FIG. 11 is set. The inside of the determination value R2 is an output OFF area. The area setting other than the shape of the determination value is the same as that shown in FIG. Since each contact point is arranged on the X-axis or Y-axis, output in the right, left, upper, and lower axis directions can be easily obtained, and output in the diagonal directions in the upper right, upper left, lower left, and lower right. Is difficult to obtain. Accordingly, by expanding the OFF region of the axial determination value in the axial direction, the sensitivity of the on-output in the axial direction is reduced, and it is easy to output the on-state equally in both the axial direction and the oblique direction.

  Further, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, when the operating body 2 is not operated, the resistance element 6a and the low resistance body 6b of each contact may already be in contact with each other. If contact is made in this manner during non-operation, the dead zone can be prevented from occurring when the input device 1 is set to the analog input mode, so that a good operational feeling can be obtained.

An exploded perspective view showing an example of the input device; A plan view when the input device is viewed from the operation surface side, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. An enlarged sectional view showing an electrode part, Circuit block diagram of input device, A flowchart showing processing in the digital input mode; Explanatory drawing which shows the process in step 2 of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the other process in step 2 of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the process in step 3 of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the process in step 4 of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the judgment value of embodiment of this invention ,

Explanation of symbols

Vx, Vy Voltage value 1 Input device 2 Operating body 2x1, 2x2, 2y1, 2y2 Operating section 3b Elastic pressing body 4 Detection substrate 5 Reinforcing member 6 Contact point 6a (6a1-6a4) Resistance element 6b (6b1-6b4) Low resistance body 10 Housing 15x X output unit 15y Y output unit 30 Control unit 31 X input A / D conversion unit 32 Y input A / D conversion unit

Claims (2)

An operating body that can be tilted in all directions with the center as a fulcrum, and four locations that are located on the X axis and the Y axis that are orthogonal to each other at the center and spaced apart from the center by the same distance. In an input device having a resistance detection unit and a control unit to which a detection output from the resistance detection unit is given when each of the resistance detection units is pressed by the operation body ,
The resistance detecting unit of their respective, the resistance elements than the resistance element facing and a low resistance having a low resistance, the magnitude of the pressing force when the resistance detection unit in the operating body is pressed Accordingly, the contact area between the resistance element and the low resistance body is changed , the resistance value is changed, and the detection output based on the change in the resistance value is obtained .
Wherein the control unit, to the detection output from each of the resistance detection unit as well as determining whether the operating body is tilted in any direction on the basis of the detection output from a plurality of the resistance detecting unit is predetermined a detection operation of the digital input mode in which the direction of operation by the operation tool is determined to be oN output when the value exceeds threshold, the magnitude of the detection output from each of the resistance detection unit of the on-output The analog input mode is determined to determine the change in the magnitude of the pressing operation force of the operating body later,
In the detection operation of the digital input mode, when it is determined that the operation body is tilted in the direction along the X axis or the direction along the Y axis and the resistance detection unit is pressed by the operation body , When the detection output exceeds the first threshold value, it is determined as the ON output, and when it is determined that the operation body is tilted in the middle direction between the direction along the X axis and the direction along the Y axis. Is determined to be the ON output when the detection outputs respectively obtained from the plurality of resistance detection units exceed a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value. apparatus. It said operating body in a state before the pressing operation, the input device according to claim 1, wherein the said resistance element and a low-resistance element is in contact.

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