JP4296249B2 - Signal input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a small signal input device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a small signal input device capable of inputting a signal by an instruction operation such as a thumb.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an interface device in the shape of a ring. According to this device, the user can input various signals with the thumb while the device is worn on the index finger. However, in this device, when the signal is input by the thumb, the device itself often rotates around the wearing finger, and it becomes difficult to input a stable signal. If you press the ring with two fingers to suppress this rotation, your fingers will get tired. On the other hand, if it is attempted to increase the close contact with the finger by reducing the diameter of the mounting part in order to make it difficult to rotate, sweating easily occurs in the close contact area between the finger and the device, which makes the user uncomfortable. Will be brought. It is also unsanitary. Such a problem can occur even if the mounting portion is changed from a ring type to a flexible belt type.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a portable operation input device that can be operated by a remote controller while worn on a finger. This apparatus is provided with a clip piece with respect to the base. This clip piece can be expanded from a state where it is folded inward by a spring to a state where an opening that can be elastically expanded is formed by inserting a finger, and the finger is inserted into the expanded opening. Thus, the clip piece can be reliably held on the finger by the spring pressure pulling inward. However, in this device, when the spring pressure of the clip piece is weak, when the signal is input by the thumb, the device itself often rotates around the wearing finger, making it difficult to input a stable signal. When the clip piece is pressed with two fingers to suppress this rotation, the fingers get tired. On the other hand, if it is attempted to increase the degree of close contact with the finger by increasing the spring pressure to make it difficult to rotate, sweating is likely to occur in the close contact area between the finger and the device, causing discomfort to the user. It is also unsanitary.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a computer mouse. The entire device is U-shaped. For this reason, the same problem as a ring type input device occurs. That is, when a signal is input by the thumb, the apparatus main body often rotates around the finger, and the finger is displaced in the axial direction. Therefore, stable signal input becomes difficult. Attempting to hold down the device with two fingers other than the thumb in an attempt to suppress this rotation or displacement will result in fatigue of the finger. Further, since the finger insertion portion is curved in a U shape, the surface area of the finger in contact with the inner surface of the device increases, and the degree of adhesion between the device and the finger increases. Therefore, the device is easily soiled by sweating and the like, which increases the user's discomfort and is unsanitary.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a remote controller with a pointing device. However, the remote controller is configured so that the entire apparatus grips the apparatus main body with the thumb base and other fingers. For this reason, an apparatus will enlarge.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-508382 JP 2006-302204 A European Patent Application No. 0940764 JP 2000-333276 A

  In the present invention, for example, when inputting a signal with a thumb, the device itself is less displaced such as rotating, and stable signal input is possible, and sweating between the finger and the device hardly occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized signal input device that does not cause discomfort and is hygienic.

  In the signal input device capable of inputting a signal by an instruction operation such as a thumb, the present inventors have a signal input portion and a clamping portion that can be clamped by at least two fingers bent and connected in a substantially L shape, and As a result of the clamping portion extending substantially linearly from the bent connecting portion, the inventors have conceived of achieving stable signal input and have completed the present invention.

  The present invention is a signal input device that has a mechanically substantially L-shaped structure, which is input by receiving the force of the thumb at the signal input portion on the upper surface of the L-shaped structure, and is a bent portion of the L-shaped structure. A signal having a structure for holding the signal input device by receiving the finger at a longitudinal portion extending substantially linearly from the bent portion of the L-shaped structure. An input device is provided.

  In addition, the present invention provides a signal input device in which the radius of curvature of the end portion in the bent portion width direction of the L-shaped structure is 9 mm or less.

  In addition, the present invention provides a signal input device in which the radius of curvature of the bent portion of the L-shaped structure is decreased from the central portion in the width direction of the signal input device to both ends in the width direction.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides the signal input device as described above, wherein the L-shaped structure further includes a back portion, so that it has a mechanically substantially Z-shaped structure, and the signal input section on the upper surface of the Z-shaped structure. And receiving the finger at the bent portion of the Z-shaped structure to hold the signal input device, and receiving the finger at the back of the Z-shaped structure to hold the signal input device A signal input device having a structure is provided.

  In addition, the present invention provides the signal input device having a structure that prevents a rotation during use by providing a convex portion at a bent portion of the Z-shaped structure.

  Moreover, this invention provides the said signal input device which has an adjustable fingernail part.

Further, the present invention is a signal input device capable of inputting a signal by an instruction operation such as a thumb, wherein the signal input unit and a clamping unit that can be clamped by at least two fingers are bent and connected in a substantially L shape, and The signal input device is characterized in that the holding portion extends substantially linearly from the bent connecting portion.

  According to the signal input device of the present invention, at the time of signal input, there is little displacement such as rotation of the device itself, stable signal input is possible, and sweating between the finger and the device hardly occurs. Therefore, there is provided a small input device that does not cause the user to feel uncomfortable and is also hygienic.

  The signal input device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of the signal input device of the present invention.

  The signal input device 1 has a substantially Z-shaped structure mechanically. Further, the signal input device 1 receives the force of the thumb at the signal input unit 2 on the upper surface of the Z-shaped structure when inputting. The signal input device 1 is held by being pinched by two fingers other than the thumb in a pinching portion extending substantially linearly from the bent portion 3 having a Z-shaped structure. The signal input device 1 receives and holds a finger on the back portion 4 having a Z-shaped structure.

  Furthermore, the signal input device of the present invention can have a substantially L-shaped structure in addition to the above-described mechanically approximately Z-shaped structure. In the case of a mechanically substantially L-shaped structure, the back portion 4 provided in the signal input device having the Z-shaped structure is not provided.

  The signal input device 1 having a substantially L-shaped structure as described above receives a thumb force at the signal input unit 2 on the upper surface of the L-shaped structure at the time of input. The signal input device 1 is held by being pinched by two fingers other than the thumb at a pinching portion extending substantially linearly from the bent portion 3 having an L-shaped structure.

  In the present specification, the structure having a substantially L shape is not only an L-shaped structure in appearance, but the structure is similar to a structure having an L-shaped appearance even if the appearance is not L-shaped. The structure which receives the power of is also included. For example, in the same manner as the signal input device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the structure receives the force of the thumb at the signal input portion on the upper surface, and receives the finger at the bent portion of the L-shaped structure. If a structure is included that holds the signal input device by receiving a finger at a longitudinal portion (clamping portion) that is held and extends substantially linearly from a bent portion of an L-shaped structure, Any structure added to the structure is included in the substantially L-shaped structure. Therefore, as shown below, a substantially Z-shaped structure mechanically is also included in the substantially L-shaped structure of the present invention.

  In this specification, a mechanically substantially Z-shaped structure is not only a Z-shaped structure in appearance, but even if the appearance is not Z-shaped, the structure is similar to a structure having a Z-shaped appearance. The structure which receives the power of is also included. For example, as in the signal input device of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the structure receives the force of the thumb at the signal input portion on the upper surface, receives the finger at the bent portion, holds the signal input device, and the back portion. If a structure for receiving the finger and holding the signal input device is included, any structure added to the approximately Z-shaped structure is dynamically included in the approximately Z-shaped structure. For example, by extending both ends of the upper surface of the substantially Z-shaped signal input device of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 to form a substantially T-shaped structure, and the upper and lower surfaces of the substantially Z-shaped signal input device. It is clear that even when a substantially H-shaped structure is formed by extending both ends, it is clear that the same force as that of the structure having a Z-shaped appearance is received, and it is mechanically included in the substantially Z-shaped structure.

  In addition, in the present specification, the substantially L shape and the substantially Z shape mean not only strictly including the L shape and the Z shape, but also including the shape that is approximately the L shape and the Z shape. To do.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram when a signal input device having a structural signal that is substantially L-shaped mechanically is operated. The figure which pinches | interposes the signal input device of this invention between two fingers is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the signal input device 1 receives the index finger 5 at, for example, a bent portion 3 (a broken circle portion) having a substantially L-shaped structure. In addition, the middle finger 6 is received by the lower surface of the longitudinal shape (clamping portion) extending substantially linearly in a substantially L-shaped structure. Thereby, the signal input device can be held by sandwiching the portion between two fingers. In addition, the signal input unit is fixed by sandwiching it with two fingers.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram when operating a signal input device having a mechanically substantially Z-shaped structure. The figure which pinches | interposes the signal input device of this invention on the finger | toe is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the signal input device 1 receives the index finger 5 at the bent portion 3 (broken circle portion) having a substantially Z-shaped structure and the middle finger 6 at the back portion 4 (broken circle portion). Retained by receiving. It can also be used so as to be held by receiving the middle finger (further index finger) at the bent portion 3 having a substantially Z-shaped structure and receiving the ring finger at the back portion 4. Since the finger in contact with the bent portion 3 can support the back surface of the signal input portion 2, it can directly receive the force of the thumb when inputting with the thumb. Thereby, rotation and a shake of a signal input device can be prevented and stable input can be performed.

  Here, the force applied to the signal input device of the present invention when operating the signal input unit will be described with reference to FIG. When the operator operates the signal input unit, the operator needs to tilt the operation surface of the signal input device in a direction in which the operator can easily operate. For example, when the operation surface is tilted back and forth as shown in FIG. 4, the force by the finger is applied to the bending portion 3 and the back portion 4 in the direction of the force vector (FIG. 4, →) in the schematic diagram. At the same time, a rotation force is generated in the signal input device (FIG. 4, rotation force). However, in the signal input device of the present invention, the back portion 4 (FIG. 4, the portion that receives the rotational force) can play a role of receiving the rotational force. Further, since there is a portion that receives the rotational force such as the back portion 4, the signal input device can be rotated like a lever. By having such a structure, a stable operability and a feeling of fitting are achieved without a finger slipping during operation. Here, when the back part 4 does not exist, it is necessary to slightly increase the force for sandwiching the sandwiching part with two fingers. However, by pinching the clamping part with at least two fingers, the input device can be reliably held, and as a result, stable signal input is possible as in the case where the back part 4 is present. is there.

  Further, in the signal input device of the present invention, a convex portion may be provided on the bent portion 3, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the signal input device in which the bent portion 3 is provided with a convex portion as seen from the side is shown in the upper part. In the lower part, cross-sectional views taken along lines AA, BB, and CC are shown, respectively. The convex portion of the bent portion 3 can be provided by, for example, smoothly raising the center of the bent portion 3 as shown in the cross-sectional view of BB in the lower part of FIG. Providing the bent portion 3 with the convex portion in this way can prevent the entire signal input device from rotating during use, and at the same time, can prevent the contact area between the finger and the input device from being unnecessarily widened.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the angle of at least both ends in the width direction of the bent portion 3 of the signal input device of the present invention is within 90 degrees in order to prevent the contact area between the finger and the input device from spreading more than necessary. Is desirable. Preferably, it is 30 to 90 degrees. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the radius of curvature at both ends in the width direction of the bent portion 3 is preferably shorter than about half the width of the index finger. By having such a structure, a gap can be formed in the bent portion of the bent portion 3 when a finger is received by the bent portion 3, as shown in the lower part of FIG. Therefore, the contact area between the finger and the device of the present invention can be reduced. And by reducing the contact area, the amount of sweating can be reduced and it becomes more hygienic. By the way, when prototypes of input devices with the curvature radii of 10mm, 9mm, 8mm and 7mm were made, and three subjects actually confirmed the operability and fit, etc., the results showed that the input devices of 9mm or less were good. Obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the radius of curvature of the bent portion 3 of the signal input device according to the present invention can be decreased from the width direction center portion to the both ends in the width direction. The left side of FIG. 7 shows side views of both ends in the width direction of the signal input device of the present invention. Further, on the right side of FIG. 7, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the central portion in the width direction of the left and right input device of the present invention. By smoothly raising the center of the bent portion 3, the radius of curvature at both ends of the bent portion 3 can be reduced and the radius of curvature of the central portion can be increased. Such a structure is particularly useful when the bent portion 3 is provided with a convex portion as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the signal input device of the present invention may include a finger clamp. For example, a structure that can hold a finger in contact with the back portion 4 of the Z-shaped structure may be used. The structure may be such that the size can be adjusted like the finger clamp 7 shown in FIG. By providing the finger clamp, a more stable input operation and support for the signal input device can be performed. Moreover, even if the finger holding the holding part of the signal input device is released, the input device can be prevented from falling. Further, as another aspect of the finger clamp, a stable input operation and support for the apparatus can be performed by providing an annular clip piece.

  The signal input device of the present invention can perform a sufficiently stable input operation and support even with a configuration that does not include a finger clamp. Therefore, the finger clamp does not need to be tightened so strongly against the finger, and can prevent a significant increase in the amount of sweating. For example, the pressing force on the finger of the clip piece does not need to be so strong, and a significant increase in the amount of sweat can be prevented.

  The finger clamp as described above can be manufactured by a method known to those skilled in the art. For example, a belt can be produced in the same manner as a wristwatch band.

  A person skilled in the art can manufacture the signal input device of the present invention by a known method, for example, an integrated type. Alternatively, the signal input unit and the clamping unit can be manufactured as a single unit, and then the back unit 4 can be connected.

  In addition, the signal input unit of the signal input device of the present invention may be a device for inputting any signal, but a device that functions as a pointing device such as a mouse for moving a cursor or a touch pad is particularly assumed. . For example, an input device including a touch pad for cursor operation is assumed. In addition, although a button corresponding to a conventional mouse click can be provided, a button of any mechanism can be adopted for the signal input unit.

  FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the signal input device of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the signal input unit 2 and the clamping unit have a substantially T-shaped structure. In the present specification, the term “substantially T-shaped” means that the signal input section 2 and the sandwiching section have a substantially T-shaped structure.

  By connecting the signal input part 2 and the clamping part in a T-shape, the sandwiching part is sandwiched between two fingers and the signal input part 2 is Can be supported with fingers. For example, the back surface of the signal input unit 2 can be supported by the middle finger (and the index finger) by sandwiching the sandwiching portion between the middle finger and the ring finger. It will be understood that the signal input device as a whole has a substantially Z-shaped structure in addition to such a generally T-shaped structure.

  FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the signal input device of the present invention. This embodiment is an example in which the joint portion (bent portion) can be rotated.

  By rotating 180 degrees at the joint portion (bent portion), the overall height of the apparatus can be reduced. The angles of the rotating surfaces can be connected at any angle. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable to set the angle so that the input surface of the signal input unit 2 and the clamping unit are linear. By setting such an angle, the height of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Therefore, it is not bulky when storing it when not in use. Further, any conventional mechanism may be used in order to make the signal input unit and the support unit rotatable. For example, the present embodiment can be achieved by adopting a structure such as that employed in a conventional mobile phone.

  Moreover, you may enable it to fold a coupling | bond part (bending part). In the folded state, the angle formed by the coupling portion (bending portion) can be set to 0 degree. Thereby, the whole apparatus can be made small. Therefore, it is not bulky when storing it when not in use. In addition, any conventional mechanism may be used so that the signal input unit and the support unit can be folded. For example, the present embodiment can be achieved by adopting a structure such as that employed in a conventional mobile phone.

  The signal input device of the present invention may transmit the signal input from the signal input device to the device by any method. For example, when used as an earphone remote control, it is assumed that input information is transmitted from the input device of the present invention to a device as a wired device. Moreover, it is assumed that the signal input device of the present invention wirelessly transmits an input signal. These signal transmission methods may be achieved using any conventional technique.

  Various designs of the signal input device of the present invention are assumed within the technical scope described in the claims. Any known manner and shape can be used as the manner of connection and the shape of the connecting portion of each part of the signal input device of the present invention.

The side view which shows an example of the signal input device of this invention. The schematic diagram at the time of operating the signal input device which has a substantially L-shaped structure mechanically. The schematic diagram at the time of operating the signal input device which has a substantially Z-shaped structure mechanically. The figure which shows the mechanical advantage of the signal input device of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the signal input device of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the signal input device and charging device of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the signal input device and charging device of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the signal input device of this invention. The figure which shows the signal input device of a mode whose signal input part and clamping part are substantially T-shaped. The figure which shows an example of the signal input device of this invention. The figure which shows the cross section of the width direction both ends of the bending part of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Signal input device
2 ... Signal input section
3 ... Bent part
4 ... Back
5 ... finger (index finger)
6 ... finger (middle finger)
7 ・ ・ ・ Finger clamp

Claims (7)

A signal input device having a mechanically substantially L-shaped structure,
Input by receiving the thumb force at the signal input unit on the top surface of the substantially L- shaped structure,
Receiving the finger other than the thumb at the bent portion of the substantially L- shaped structure to support the signal input portion ;
By holding a longitudinal portion extending substantially linearly from a bent portion of the substantially L- shaped structure between a finger received by the bent portion, a finger received by the bent portion, and a finger different from the thumb, with one hand The signal input device can be held and inputted.
A signal input device having a structure. 2. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein the curvature radius of the end portion in the width direction of the bent portion of the substantially L-shaped structure is 9 mm or less. 3. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of the bent portion of the substantially L-shaped structure decreases as it goes from the center in the width direction to both ends in the width direction of the signal input device. . A signal input device having a mechanically substantially Z-shaped structure,
The signal input unit on the upper surface of the substantially Z-shaped structure receives and receives the thumb force,
Receiving the finger other than the thumb at the bent portion of the substantially Z-shaped structure to support the signal input portion ;
By sandwiching a longitudinal portion extending substantially linearly from a bent portion of the substantially Z-shaped structure between a finger received by the bent portion, a finger received by the bent portion, and a third finger different from the thumb The signal input device can be held and input with one hand,
Receiving the third finger at the back of the substantially Z-shaped structure ;
A signal input device having a structure. 5. The signal input device according to claim 4, wherein a curvature radius of an end portion in the curved portion width direction of the substantially Z-shaped structure is 9 mm or less .   6. The signal input device according to claim 4, wherein a radius of curvature of the bent portion of the substantially Z-shaped structure is decreased from the center in the width direction of the signal input device toward both ends in the width direction. . A signal input device capable of inputting a signal by an instruction operation such as a thumb, wherein the signal input unit and a clamping unit that can be clamped by at least two fingers are bent and connected in a substantially L shape, and the clamping unit is bent and connected The signal input is characterized by extending substantially linearly from the portion , and the holding portion can be held only by two fingers, a finger receiving the bent connecting portion and a finger different from the finger apparatus.