JP4412348B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method for operating an electronic device configured to be relatively small for portable use, for example.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic device such as a mobile phone terminal has been put into practical use with an input device called a jog dial so that a complicated input operation can be easily performed. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a mobile phone terminal provided with a conventional jog dial type input device. In this example, the display panel 2 and the dial key 3 are arranged on the front surface of the casing constituting the mobile phone terminal 1, and the jog dial 4 is arranged on the side face of the casing.

  The jog dial 4 is composed of a rotating member that can be rotated in one or the other direction as indicated by arrows a and b in FIG. 20, and is pushed in the direction of the rotation axis as indicated by an arrow c in FIG. It is possible. In this case, the rotation of the rotating member is given a certain degree of click feeling. For example, every time the rotating member is rotated by a certain angle of about several tens of degrees, a mechanical click is generated.

  By preparing the jog dial 4 as described above, various operations combining the rotation operation and the pressing operation can be performed. For example, an item to be input (for example, an input character) can be selected by rotating in the direction of arrow a or b, and the selected item can be confirmed by pressing in the direction indicated by arrow c. It is possible to easily perform various operations using the. And, as described above, every time a certain angle is rotated, a mechanical click is generated so that the user can input how much (for example, how many steps) depending on the number of times that the click has occurred. The operability is improved.

  However, such a conventional jog dial type input device requires an operation member that is rotatably arranged. Therefore, compared with the case where a push button or the like is simply arranged on a device, the components as the input device are compared. There is a problem of large size. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the operation member constituting the jog dial 4 is only a part of the member visible from the outside of the housing, and is actually a circular part indicated by a broken line, A considerable volume inside the instrument is devoted to the placement space for the parts. Therefore, it is often difficult to arrange a conventional jog dial type input device in order to reduce the size of the device.

  In the example of FIG. 20, the example applied to the mobile phone terminal has been described, but the same problem also occurs in the case of other various electronic devices in which similar operation means (input means) are arranged.

  In view of this point, the present invention has an object to provide a device that has good operability and does not require a large installation space.

The present invention is an information processing apparatus including a display unit that displays information and first and second contact position detection units that detect a contact position of a living body or an object , and the first and second contact position detection units. Is arranged separately on one end and the other end of the information processing apparatus, and when the first contact position detection unit and the second contact position detection unit detect contact at the same time, The adjustment amount of the adjustment item for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus is increased or decreased according to the change in the contact detection position by the contact position detection unit, and the adjustment is performed according to the change in the contact detection position by the second contact position detection unit. The item is changed, and the changed adjustment item and adjustment amount are displayed on the display unit.

According to the present invention, the selection of the adjustment item and the adjustment amount are accepted according to the change in the position where the contact of the living body or the object is detected by the two contact position detection units.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this example, the input device is arranged on the surface of a housing constituting the electronic device and operated by the user. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one example in which the input device of this example is configured as a jog dial type input device, and components such as a substrate are disassembled.

  A portion of the device housing 10 where the input device is configured has a recess 11 formed in an annular circle. For example, when the user touches the annular recess 11 with a finger, the thickness of the resin constituting the housing 10 is slightly reduced to such an extent that the position where the recess 11 is formed can be recognized by tactile sensation. It is formed. In the case of this example, the annular recess 11 corresponds to an input unit that is operated by the user touching with a finger or the like. Here, an annular recess 11 is formed so that the operating position can be recognized by tactile sensation, and the operating position may be determined by other shapes such as a circular protrusion. Alternatively, in terms of shape, a position to be operated by printing or the like may be known without providing a concave portion or a convex portion on the surface of the housing 10.

  Two substrates 20 and 30 are arranged on the back side of the recess 11. In FIG. 1, the substrates 20 and 30 are shown apart for the sake of explanation, but in reality, the two substrates 20 and 30 are arranged in close contact with the back side of the recess 11. The material which comprises each board | substrate 20 and 30 is a thing of the comparatively thin material which has insulation.

  Here, a plurality of electrodes 21 are arranged on the surface of the substrate 20 at a substantially constant interval in a circular radial shape matching the annular shape of the recess 11. On the substrate 30, a single electrode 31 having a circular shape corresponding to the annular shape of the recess 11 is disposed. The electrode 21 is used as a transmission electrode to which a signal from the signal source 41 is supplied via the changeover switch 42. The electrode 31 is used as a receiving electrode that supplies a signal obtained from the electrode to the amplifier 43 side.

  In addition, although the example which has arrange | positioned the electrodes 21 and 31 on the two board | substrates 20 and 30 was shown here, if each electrode 21 and the electrode 31 are the states insulated, two electrodes 21 and the same board | substrate will be shown. The electrode 31 may be disposed. Alternatively, the electrode 21 may be disposed on the front side of one substrate and the electrode 31 may be disposed on the back side. In any case, the distance between the electrode 21 and the electrode 31 is a very close distance so that the electrode 21 and 31 functions as a capacitor. A signal applied to the transmission electrode 21 is transmitted to the reception electrode 31 side. Here, the capacitance value between the electrodes 21 and 31 is changed by capacitive coupling between the finger and the electrodes 21 and 31 generated by touching the surface of the recess 11 with a finger or the like. In this example, the change in the capacitance value is electrically measured to detect the contact position. Details of the detection process will be described later.

  In this example, a vibrator 40 is attached as an actuator for transmitting vibrations near the attachment position of the substrates 20 and 30 on the back side of the formation position of the recess 11 of the housing 10, and the pulse generator 48. By supplying the pulse signal from, the vicinity of the recess 11 can be vibrated. For example, a piezoelectric vibrator or a coil is used as the vibrator 40. Note that the vibrator 40 is not necessarily arranged on the back side of the position where the recess 11 is formed as long as the vicinity of the position where the recess 11 is formed can be temporarily vibrated by the vibration.

  Next, a circuit connected to the electrodes 21 and 31 and the vibrator 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a signal source 41 is prepared, and an AC signal having a specific frequency is generated from the signal source 41, for example. To output a specific signal. A signal output from the signal source 41 is sequentially supplied to the plurality of electrodes 21 via the changeover switch 42. As described above, a large number of electrodes 21 are prepared for each substantially constant angular position, and the changeover switch 42 performs a process of sequentially switching the electrodes 21 at a relatively short period, and thereby provides all the prepared electrodes 21. The signals from the signal source 41 are sequentially supplied in a time division manner.

  The electrode 31 that is an electrode that receives a signal from each transmission electrode 21 is connected to an amplifier 43. The amplifier 43 amplifies the signal received at the electrode 31 and then supplies the amplified signal to the synchronous detector 44. The synchronous detector 44 is also supplied with respect to the output signal of the signal source 41, and detects a signal component synchronized with the frequency of the output signal of the signal source 41 included in the output of the amplifier 43. The detected signal component is supplied to the low-pass filter 45 and converted into a direct current, and the converted direct-current signal component is supplied to the analog / digital converter 46 to convert the signal reception intensity into digital data.

  The data obtained by the analog / digital converter 46 is supplied to a controller 47 that controls the input device. The controller 47 determines the operation state based on the supplied data, and outputs a command obtained based on the determination of the operation state from the terminal 47a. In this example, the controller 47 determines a change in signal strength based on data supplied via the converter 46, and determines an operation state of the recess 11 from the change in signal strength.

  The controller 47 controls the output of the pulse signal from the pulse generator 48 according to the operation state of the recess 11 determined based on the data supplied from the converter 46 side. As a pulse signal output from the pulse generator 48, for example, a pulse signal having a frequency of about 20 Hz is output only for one cycle. Here, every time the controller 47 detects that the position touching the annular recess 11 has changed by a certain angle (for example, every 30 °), it outputs a pulse signal that causes the vibrator 40 to vibrate temporarily. To control. The controller 47 may be a control unit provided alone as an input device, but may also serve as a controller of an electronic device in which the input device is incorporated.

  Next, the principle of detecting the state of touching the recess 11 with the input device of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the position where the recess 11 is formed is touched with one finger, and the touched angular positions are indicated as T1, T2, T3, T4,. In this example, a substantially intermediate position between the position T3 and the position T4 is touched with one finger. When touched in this way, the intensity of the signal detected by the synchronous detector 44 via the electrode corresponding to the touched angular position becomes weaker than the intensity of the signal synchronously detected via the other electrode.

  For example, assuming that the angular positions T1, T2, T3, T4,... Correspond to the angular positions of the individual electrodes 21 arranged at regular intervals, the signal source 41 is connected to the electrode 21 at the position T1. The received signal strength of the signal detected by the synchronous detector 44 becomes the signal strength at the angular position T1 at the timing at which the signal from is supplied. In this way, by measuring the signal intensity at all the angular positions where the electrodes 21 are arranged, and generating the signal intensity between the angular positions where the electrodes 21 are arranged in the controller 47 by interpolation processing, In a state where no finger or the like is in contact with the recess 11, the signal intensity is almost uniform at any angular position as shown in FIG. 2B as the signal reception intensity characteristic S 0 in the normal state.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, when one finger touches the middle position between positions T3 and T4, the signal reception intensity at the touched angular position is lower than the other positions. The characteristic S1 shown in FIG. 2B is obtained.

  The decrease in the signal reception intensity at the touched position is caused by capacitive coupling between the touched finger and the electrodes 21 and 31, and the reception intensity is most reduced at the angular position touched by the finger. When the controller 47 determines that the reception intensity is reduced, the angular position touched by the finger is calculated in the controller 47.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the example in which only one portion of the recess 11 is touched has been described. However, in the detection of the contact position based on the principle of this example, even if a plurality of locations of the recess 11 are touched simultaneously, this is detected. can do. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, by touching the vicinity of the angular position T1 with one finger and touching the vicinity of the angular position T6 with another finger, the signal reception intensity in this state is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the signal reception intensity decreases at two locations near the angular position T1 and near the angular position T6, as compared with the substantially flat signal reception intensity S0 when there is no contact, as characteristic S2. Therefore, by calculating the respective peak positions in the controller 47, the angular position where two fingers touched can be obtained. Even when three or more places are contacted at the same time, it can be detected by the same principle.

  Next, processing performed by detecting the contact position of the recess 11 in the controller 47 in this way will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the controller 47 determines whether or not it is detected that a finger is in contact with the concave portion 11 corresponding to the jog dial (step S11). If no contact is detected, the process waits until a contact is detected. And when a contact is detected, the contact position (here angular position) of the finger which detected the contact is detected (step S12). Here, it is determined whether or not there is a change of a certain amount (here, a certain angle) or more from the previously detected contact position (step S13), and if there is a change of a certain amount or more, a click generation process is performed (step S13). S14).

  In this click generation process, a pulse generation command is sent from the controller 47 to the pulse generator 48, a single pulse signal is supplied from the pulse generator 48 to the vibrator 40, and the vibrator 40 is temporarily moved. This is a process of transmitting a temporary vibration to the finger touching the recess 11 by vibrating.

  Then, after performing the click generation process in step S14 and if no change of a certain amount or more is detected in step S13, the process proceeds to step S15, and the rotation direction and rotation amount of the contact position at that time are changed. The controller 47 causes the terminal 47a to output a command for performing a corresponding input process. For example, when it is set to perform scrolling of the display screen on the display device by the contact operation of the recess 11 corresponding to the jog dial, when the rotation of the contact position about 180 ° clockwise is detected, the 180 ° Scroll the screen to the position corresponding to Further, when rotation of the contact position about 90 ° counterclockwise is detected, the screen is scrolled to the other side by a position corresponding to the 90 °. After performing the input process in this way, the process returns to the contact detection in step S11.

  In this way, an input device corresponding to a conventional jog dial can be configured without using any movable member such as a rotary knob. In this case, the vibrator 40 is vibrated temporarily every time the angle touched by the finger changes by a certain angle or more, so that the vibration equivalent to the click feeling is transmitted to the touched finger. An operational feeling similar to that of operating the jog dial is obtained, and good operability is ensured. In the processing example in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the input process is performed according to the rotation detection of the contact position, but each detection is also performed when a temporary or continuous contact without rotation is detected. Input processing corresponding to the above may be performed.

  Note that the arrangement example of the transmission electrode and the reception electrode shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the contact position may be detected by another electrode arrangement. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, when a plurality of electrodes are arranged radially on the substrate 50 arranged on the back side of the annular recess 11, the first group of electrodes 51 a and the second group are alternately arranged one by one. And the electrode 51b. A signal is supplied to the first group of electrodes 51a from the signal source 41 via the changeover switch 42a in a time division manner. In addition, a changeover switch 42b that switches in conjunction with the changeover switch 42a is provided, and a signal obtained from the second group of electrodes 51b is supplied to the amplifier 43 in a time-sharing manner.

  The configuration for processing the output of the amplifier 43 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the output of the amplifier 43 is supplied to the synchronous detector 44, the detection is synchronized with the output of the signal source 41, the detected signal is passed through the low-pass filter 45, and then converted into data by the analog / digital converter 46. The controller 47 determines the converted data. Moreover, based on the determination state in the controller 47, the pulse supplied from the pulse generator 48 to the vibrator 40 is controlled to generate vibration corresponding to a click feeling.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 5, when there is no contact of a finger or the like in the annular recess 11, the capacitance formed between the adjacent first group of electrodes 51 a and second group of electrodes 51 b is reduced. The signal reception intensity detected by the controller 47 is substantially constant at any position. On the other hand, when a finger or the like is in contact with any position of the annular recess 11, it is formed between the first group of electrodes 51a and the second group of electrodes 51b located below the contact position. The controller 47 detects that the capacitance changes due to capacitive coupling between the finger in contact with the electrodes 51a and 51b and the signal reception intensity at that position decreases. Accordingly, the contact characteristic of the finger or the like is the same as that of the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the contact position of the finger or the like can be detected by the controller 47. Of course, as shown in FIG. 3, simultaneous contact at a plurality of positions can be detected.

  Further, the input device of this example may be combined with other operation means such as a push button type switch. The example shown in FIG. 6 is an example in which the input device of this example and a push button type switch are combined. In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, a through-hole 12 is formed in the center of the annular recess 11, and a circular button 13 is fitted in the through-hole 12, and input is performed by pressing the button 13. It is configured as a switch that can In this case, the through holes 22 and 32 are also provided at the centers of the substrates 20 and 30 so that the shaft 14 of the button 13 is held in a state where the through holes 22 and 32 of the substrates 20 and 30 are inserted. In this case, the button 13 is configured to be held in a state where it is slightly pushed up by a spring or the like. Further, the receiving electrode 31 ′ on the substrate 30 is configured as an electrode portion whose area is expanded to the center, so that an electrode (not shown) on the button 13 side contacts the electrode 31 ′ when the button 13 is pressed.

  When the button 13 fitted in the through hole 12 of the housing 10 is operated so that a signal is also supplied from the signal source 41 ′ to the bottom side of the button 13 (that is, when it is pressed), A signal supplied from the signal source 41 ′ is transmitted to the electrode 31 ′ on the substrate 30. By doing so, when the button 13 is operated, the signal received by the electrode 31 ′ is processed by the receiving system circuit after the amplifier 43, and this corresponds to the state where the button 13 is pressed by the controller 47. Signal is detected. The signal supplied from the signal source 41 ′ to the button 13 side and the signal supplied from the signal source 41 ′ to each transmission electrode 21 are differentiated on the controller 47 side, for example, as different signals. Alternatively, the signal supplied to the button 13 may be transmitted via the changeover switch 42 and supplied to each transmission electrode 21 in a time-sharing manner. When the operation of the button 13 is detected, the vibrator 40 is not vibrated.

  By configuring in this way, the operation means by the concave portion 11 and the operation means by the push button 13 are combined, and a higher-level operation instruction is possible. Details of a specific operation example in the case of such a configuration will be described later as an example in combination with an actual device. Note that the push button type switch disposed in the center of the annular recess 11 may be a switch using a contact detection sensor that can be operated simply by touching with a finger or the like.

  In the examples described so far, the input device is configured as a jog dial type input device configured with a circular recess or the like. However, the input detection device is configured as an input device of another shape to which the contact detection processing configuration of this example is applied. May be. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it may be configured as a slider type input device in which the contact detection unit extends linearly.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, a linear recess 15 is formed on the surface of the housing 10 so that it can be detected that the linear recess 15 is touched with a finger or the like. For example, when the user touches with a finger, the linear recess 15 is processed such that the thickness of the resin constituting the housing 10 is slightly reduced to such an extent that the position where the recess 15 is formed can be recognized by tactile sensation. It is formed with. In addition, you may make it understand linear operation position by shapes other than a recessed part or printing.

  Two substrates 20 and 30 are arranged on the back side of the recess 15. In FIG. 7, the substrates 20 and 30 are shown separated for the sake of explanation, but in reality, the two substrates 20 and 30 are arranged in close contact with the back side of the recess 15. The material which comprises each board | substrate 20 and 30 is a thing of the comparatively thin material which has insulation.

  Here, on the surface of the substrate 20, a plurality of electrodes 23 arranged in a straight line at substantially constant intervals in accordance with the shape of the linear recess 15 are arranged. On the substrate 30, one linear electrode 33 is arranged in accordance with the shape of the recess 11. The electrode 23 is used as a transmission electrode to which a signal from the signal source 41 is supplied via the changeover switch 42. The electrode 33 is used as a receiving electrode that supplies a signal obtained from the electrode to the amplifier 43 side.

  In the case of FIG. 7 as well, the example in which the electrodes 23 and 33 are arranged on the two substrates 20 and 30 is shown as in the example of FIG. As long as is insulated, two electrodes 23 and 33 may be disposed on the same substrate. Alternatively, the electrode 23 may be disposed on the front surface side of one substrate and the electrode 33 may be disposed on the back surface side. In any case, the distance between the electrode 23 and the electrode 33 is a very close distance so that the electrode 23 and the electrode 33 function as a capacitor. The signal applied to the transmission electrode 23 is transmitted to the reception electrode 33 side. Here, the capacitance value between the electrodes 23 and 33 is changed by capacitive coupling between the finger and the electrodes 23 and 33 generated by touching the surface of the recess 15 with a finger or the like. In this example, the change in the capacitance value is electrically measured to detect the contact position.

  In this example, the vibrator 40 is attached in the vicinity of the attachment position of the substrates 20 and 30 on the back side of the formation position of the recess 15 of the housing 10, and the pulse signal is supplied from the pulse generator 48. Thus, the vicinity of the recess 15 can be vibrated. For example, a piezoelectric vibrator or a coil is used as the vibrator 40. Note that the vibrator 40 is not necessarily arranged on the back side of the position where the recess 15 is formed as long as the vicinity of the position where the recess 15 is formed can be temporarily vibrated by the vibration.

  The circuits connected to the electrodes 23 and 33 and the vibrator 40 are the same as those already described with reference to FIG. That is, a signal source 41 is prepared, and a specific signal such as an AC signal having a specific frequency is output from the signal source 41. A signal output from the signal source 41 is sequentially supplied to the plurality of electrodes 23 via the changeover switch 42. A large number of electrodes 23 are prepared at a substantially constant interval, and the changeover switch 42 performs a process of sequentially switching the electrodes 23 at a relatively short period, and sequentially signals all the prepared electrodes 23 in a time-sharing manner. The signal from the source 41 is supplied.

  An amplifier 43 is connected to the electrode 33 which is an electrode for receiving a signal from each transmission electrode 23, and the output of the amplifier 43 is detected by the synchronous detector 44 and the detected output is supplied to the low-pass filter 45. Then, the signal is converted into a direct current, and the filter output is supplied to the analog / digital converter 46 to convert the signal reception intensity into digital data.

  The data obtained by the analog / digital converter 46 is supplied to a controller 47 that controls the input device. The controller 47 determines the operation state based on the supplied data, and outputs a command obtained based on the determination of the operation state from the terminal 47a. In the case of this example, the controller 47 determines a change in signal strength based on data supplied via the converter 46, and determines an operation state of the recess 15 from the change in signal strength.

  Further, the controller 47 controls the output of the pulse signal from the pulse generator 48 according to the operation state of the recess 15 determined based on the data supplied from the converter 46 side. Here, every time the controller 47 detects that the position touching the linearly formed recess 15 has changed by a certain distance (for example, every 1 cm), a pulse signal for temporarily vibrating the vibrator 40 is output. To control.

  The principle of detecting the state of touching the recess 15 with the input device having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is exactly the same as the principle of detecting the state of touching the annular recess 11 shown in FIG. The contact position is detected by detecting a change in signal reception intensity linked to a change in capacity due to contact. Even when a plurality of positions are touched simultaneously, the contact position can be detected by the principle shown in FIG. Then, the controller 47 performs an input process according to the detected change amount of the position. Moreover, whenever the change of the contact position becomes a certain distance, the vibrator 40 vibrates temporarily, and vibration corresponding to the click feeling is transmitted.

  Note that the electrode arrangement in the case of the slider-type input device may be other arrangements. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when arranging a plurality of electrodes in a straight line on a substrate 50 arranged on the back side of the linear recess 15, a first group of electrodes 52a are alternately arranged one by one. And the second group of electrodes 52b. A signal is supplied to the first group of electrodes 52a from the signal source 41 through the changeover switch 42a in a time division manner. In addition, a changeover switch 42b that switches in conjunction with the changeover switch 42a is provided, and a signal obtained from the second group of electrodes 52b is supplied to the amplifier 43 in a time-sharing manner.

  The configuration for processing the output of the amplifier 43 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the output of the amplifier 43 is supplied to the synchronous detector 44, the detection is synchronized with the output of the signal source 41, the detected signal is passed through the low-pass filter 45, and then converted into data by the analog / digital converter 46. The controller 47 determines the converted data. Moreover, based on the determination state in the controller 47, the pulse supplied from the pulse generator 48 to the vibrator 40 is controlled to generate vibration corresponding to a click feeling.

  Also in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the received signal strength of the receiving electrode 52b at the contacted position decreases, and the controller 47 detects that there is contact at that position. Also in this example, it is possible to detect simultaneous contact at a plurality of positions.

  Next, an example in which the input device described so far is mounted on an electronic device will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example applied to a portable audio device. In this example, the portable audio device 100 includes a jack 101 for connecting headphones, and the plug 103 of the headphones 102 is connected to the jack 101. Then, an audio signal stored (recorded) in a medium (semiconductor memory or the like) in the device 100 is reproduced, and the reproduced audio is listened to by the headphones 102. On the surface of the device 100, a display unit 104 that displays a reproduction status or the like is provided. Then, adjacent to the display unit 104, the surface of the casing constituting the device 100 is configured with an annular operation part (concave part) 111 and a push button part 112 arranged at the center of the annular operation part. The so-called jog dial type input device of this example is arranged. This input device is realized by the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example.

  Examples of operations in the state where the annular operation unit 111 and the push button unit 112 are arranged in this way include operation examples as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10G, for example. That is, an operation of pushing the push button unit 112 (FIG. 10A), a rotation operation (FIG. 10B) touching the ring operation unit 111 as if turning it with a finger, and the ring operation unit passing through the push button unit 112 from the right end of the ring operation unit 111 An operation for moving a finger to the left end of 111 (FIG. 10C), an operation for moving the push button portion 112 to the left side (FIG. 10D), an operation for moving the push button portion 112 to the right side (FIG. 10E), an annular operation An operation of pressing the push button 112 after touching the left end of the portion 111 (FIG. 10F), an operation of pressing the push button 112 after touching the right end of the annular operation portion 111 (FIG. 10G), and the like can be performed.

  When this operation is detected by the controller of the input device, an operation mode corresponding to each operation is set and input processing is performed in the operation mode, whereby the annular operation unit 111 and the push button unit 112 are operated. And various operations of the audio device 100 can be performed.

  The flowchart in FIG. 11 is a processing example in which each operation state as shown in FIG. 10 is determined by the controller. For example, the controller first determines whether or not there is an operation of the push button (step S21), and when detecting the operation of the push button, after detecting the operation of the push button, the controller uses an annular operation unit configured as a contact sensor. It is determined whether or not contact is detected (step S22). Here, when the contact at the annular operation unit is not detected, it is determined that only the operation of the push button is performed, and the process proceeds to step S23 to perform the input reception process of the push button operation. The input receiving process in step S23 corresponds to, for example, the operation in FIG. 10A.

  In step S22, when contact with the annular operation unit is detected, the contacted position is determined (step S24). And it moves to step S25 and performs the input reception process corresponding to the operation of a pushbutton and the contact of the specific position in a subsequent cyclic | annular operation part. The input receiving process in step S25 corresponds to, for example, the operation in FIG. 10D or 10E.

  If the operation of the push button is not detected in step S21, the process proceeds to step S26, and it is determined whether or not contact is detected by the annular operation unit configured as a contact sensor. Here, when the contact at the annular operation unit is not detected, the process returns to the determination of step S21 and waits until any operation is performed. And when the contact in a cyclic | annular operation part is detected by step S26, the contacted position is judged (step S27). Further, it is determined whether or not the contacted position changes along the circumferential direction of the recess (step S28), and when it is determined that the contact position changes along the circumferential direction, A changing direction is determined (step S29), and an input receiving process corresponding to the determined direction and the amount of change is performed (step S30). The input receiving process in step S30 corresponds to, for example, the operation in FIG. 10B.

  If no change in the contact position along the circumferential direction is detected in step S28, it is determined whether or not there is a push button operation (step S31). If no push button operation is detected, step S21 is performed. Return to the determination and wait for any operation. If the operation of the push button is detected in step S31, it is further determined whether or not contact is detected at the annular operation unit configured as a contact sensor (step S32). If it is determined that no contact is detected at the annular operation unit, an input reception process corresponding to the contact operation at a specific position at the annular operation unit and the subsequent operation of the push button is performed (step S33). The input receiving process in step S33 corresponds to, for example, the operation in FIG. 10F or FIG. 10G.

  If it is determined in step S32 that contact with the annular operation unit is detected, the contacted position is determined (step S34). Then, an input receiving process corresponding to the contact operation at the annular operation unit, the subsequent push button operation, and the subsequent contact operation at the annular operation unit is performed (step S35). The input receiving process in step S35 corresponds to the operation in FIG. 10C, for example.

  In this manner, each operation example shown in FIG. 10 can be discriminated by the controller. Here, since it is an operation example as the audio device 100, by assigning each operation to an operation of each function required by the audio device, various operations required by the audio device can be performed by the operation unit 111 and push buttons. This is possible using only part 112. For example, the rotation operation shown in FIG. 10B is assigned to the reproduction volume adjustment, the operation of only the push button unit 112 shown in FIG. 10A is assigned to the reproduction stop operation, and the other operations are assigned to the reproduction start, the track advance, and the like. This makes it possible to perform almost all operations necessary for audio reproduction.

  And although it is an input device in which such complicated operation is possible, since it is the structure which detects a contact about the annular operation part 111 using the electrode arrange | positioned inside, an input device is very thin. And can be easily incorporated into a small audio device 100. And, for operability, when operating using the annular operation unit 111, because vibration is generated in response to the movement of the contact position, like a conventional jog dial type input device, A feel equivalent to a click feeling similar to that when a roller with a click feeling is rotated is obtained, and good operability is obtained.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the input device of this example is applied to an audio device. However, the input device of this example can be applied to other electronic devices. For example, as shown in FIG. That is, it is assumed that the mobile phone terminal 200 is configured such that the first housing 201 and the second housing 202 are joined by the joint 203 and can be folded. In this case, keys 204 such as dial keys and function keys are arranged on the first casing 201, a display unit 205 is arranged on the second casing 202, and an annular operation unit (recess) is further provided on the first casing 201. 211 and a push button 212 at the center of the operation unit 211 are arranged, and a so-called jog dial type input device of this example is arranged.

  The push button unit 212 here is not a switch with a simple push button, but a push button in which a plurality of (for example, four) push buttons are combined and a direction such as up, down, left, and right can be designated by the push position. An annular operation unit 211 that can be input by detecting contact with a finger or the like is disposed so as to surround the push button unit 212. For example, the input device having the configuration shown in FIG. 6 can be applied to this input device. However, since the number of buttons of the push button unit 212 is different, it is necessary to slightly change the configuration shown in FIG.

  Since the mobile phone terminal 200 includes the input device configured as described above, various input operations required by the phone terminal can be performed using the annular operation unit 211 and the push button unit 212. Also in the case of this mobile phone terminal, since the annular operation unit 211 can be configured to be thin, it can be easily incorporated into a thin mobile phone terminal. As for operability, good operability is ensured. That is, when an operation is performed using the annular operation unit 211, vibration is generated in accordance with the movement of the contact position, so that a roller with a click feeling like a conventional jog dial type input device is used. A feel equivalent to a click feeling similar to the case of rotating can be obtained, and good operability can be obtained.

  In addition, when the input device of this example is incorporated in the mobile phone terminal 200, the dedicated vibrator 40 described with reference to FIG. 1 or the like may be used as the vibration means for vibrating the vicinity of the input device. When the mobile phone terminal is a terminal having a function of vibrating the terminal at the time of incoming call and notifying the incoming call, the vibration means for vibrating at the time of the incoming call is used to temporarily hold the terminal during operation at the annular operation unit 211. You may make it vibrate. Conversely, the vibrator 40 included in the input device of the present example may be used not only as a vibration means when operating on the operation unit, but also as a vibration means for vibrating the terminal when receiving an incoming call.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 12, the annular operation unit 211 has an elliptical shape instead of a perfect circular shape. However, the operation unit of this example has a member physically like a conventional jog dial. Since it is not a rotating mechanism, the shape of the operation unit can be arbitrarily changed in accordance with the shape of the applied device.

  Next, an example in which the input device of this example configured as a slider type input device is incorporated in an electronic device will be described. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the slider-type input device of this example is incorporated in a portable data processing terminal called PDA (Personal Digital Assistants). The PDA 300 is configured in a thin, vertically long casing, a relatively large display unit 301 is disposed on the front surface, and several operation keys 303 are disposed on the lower side. The display unit 301 can display received character data such as e-mails and schedules, and map data stored in a memory in the terminal. Note that the PDA 300 of this example can change the display scale in a plurality of stages when displaying a map.

  Here, slider type operation units 311, 312, and 313 are arranged along the edges of the three sides of the square display unit 301. That is, a slider type operation unit 311 is arranged on the left side of the display unit 301, a slider type operation unit 312 is arranged on the right side, and a slider type operation unit 313 is arranged on the lower side. Each slider-type operation unit 311, 312, 313 is configured as the input device shown in FIG. 7 or 8, for example, and can be operated by touching the operation unit with a finger or the like. In this case, according to the principle shown in FIG. 3, it is set as the structure which can detect also the simultaneous contact of several places.

  Here, as input processing using the slider type operation units 311, 312, and 313, processing related mainly to the screen displayed on the display unit 301 is performed. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation state. Here, at least three types of operations can be performed.

  That is, when a map or the like is displayed on the display unit 301, as shown in FIG. 14A, by touching the slider-type operation unit with one finger and moving the touched position, The display range of the display screen (such as a map) is scrolled. In this case, scrolling of the vertical display range is performed by operating the slider type operation unit 311 or 312 arranged vertically, and scrolling of the horizontal display range is performed by the slider type operation unit 313 arranged horizontally. Done in operation.

  When the map is displayed, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the slider-type operation unit is touched with two fingers and an operation is performed so that the interval between the two fingers is widened, or two The scale of the display map is changed when there is an operation that reduces the interval between fingers. For example, when there is an operation that increases the interval between two fingers, the scale of the display map is reduced, and a map in which only a part of the range is enlarged is displayed on the display unit 301. Further, when there is an operation that reduces the interval between two fingers, the scale of the display map is increased, and a map that is displayed with a wide range reduced is displayed on the display unit 301.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, when the left slider-type operation unit 311 and the right slider-type operation unit 312 are touched and operated at the same time, an adjustment mode for adjusting the setting status of the device is set. Adjustments are made.

  An example of processing in the controller when there is an operation relating to scrolling, enlargement, or reduction of the screen shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not contact has been detected at only one location of any operation unit (step S41). If contact at only one place is detected in this determination, it is determined whether or not the contact position has changed (step S42). If the contact position does not change, the process returns to the determination in step S41 and waits.

  If the contact position changes in the determination in step S42, the screen is scrolled according to the change amount of the contact position (step S43). The scroll at this time is performed in the direction in which the contact position changes. That is, when a change in the contact position in the upward direction is detected by the left and right slider-type operation units 311 or 312, the display screen is scrolled upward, and the left and right slider-type operation units 311 or 312 are moved downward. When a change in the contact position is detected, the display screen is scrolled downward. When the lower slider-type operation unit 313 detects a change in the left contact position, the display screen is scrolled to the left, and the lower slider-type operation unit 313 detects the right contact position. When a change in the number is detected, the display screen is scrolled to the right.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the contact is not made at only one place, it is determined whether or not the contact is made at two places within one operation unit (step S44). If it is determined that the contact is other than two simultaneous contacts, the process returns to the determination in step S41 and waits. If it is determined in step S44 that the two simultaneous contacts are made, it is determined whether or not the width between the two touched portions is changed (step S45). If it is determined here that the map is widened, the scale of the display map is changed to a small scale according to the widened width (step S46). For example, every time the distance between two fingers touching one operation unit increases by about 1 cm, the display scale is changed by one step to an enlarged map of a small scale.

  If it is determined in step S45 that the width between the two locations is not widened, it is determined whether or not the width between the two touched locations is changed (step S47). . If it is determined that the map is narrowed, the scale of the display map is changed to a large scale according to the narrowed width (step S48). For example, every time the distance between two fingers touching one operation unit is reduced by about 1 cm, the display scale is changed to a large scale reduced map by one step.

  If narrowing is not detected in step S47, the process returns to the determination in step S41 and waits. Also, after the input processing in steps S43, S46, and S48 is performed, the process returns to step S41 and waits for the next operation.

  By performing processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, scrolling of the displayed map and setting of the display scale can be easily performed using a slide type operation unit. In this example, the map is displayed, so the display scale is changed. However, when characters or figures other than the map are displayed, the display magnification is changed by the same process. Also good. That is, when an operation that increases the interval between two fingers is performed, an enlargement process that increases the display magnification is performed, and when an operation that decreases the interval between two fingers is performed, the display magnification is increased. It is also possible to perform a reduction process that lowers.

  Next, a processing example under the control of the controller when the two slider-type operation units 311 and 312 are operated simultaneously as shown in FIG. 14C will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the controller determines whether there is an operation for entering the adjustment mode (step S51). Here, the adjustment mode is set when it is detected that the two operation units 311 and 312 are in contact at the same time. When such a contact state is not detected, it waits as it is. It should be noted that an operation such as another key may be required for the operation to enter the adjustment mode.

  When the adjustment mode is set in this process, for example, as shown in FIG. 14C, a list of adjustment items is displayed on the left side of the screen on the display unit 301, and one of the adjustment items is selected. To display. Further, an adjustment amount for the selected item is displayed on the right side of the screen. In the display example of FIG. 14C, [Brightness] for adjusting the brightness of the screen is selected as the adjustment item, and the brightness of 45% is set as the adjustment amount.

  If it is detected in step S51 that the adjustment mode has been entered and the adjustment screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not the contact position detected by the left operation unit 311 changes (step S52). Here, when the contact position detected by the left operation unit 311 changes, the adjustment item is changed according to the change amount of the position, and the display is also changed correspondingly (step S53). For example, as shown in FIG. 14C, when [Brightness] is selected as an adjustment item and the contact position detected by the operation unit 311 slightly changes to the upper side, [Volume] displayed above [Brightness] is displayed. ] To change.

  When the change in the contact position of the left operation unit 311 is not detected in step S52, and after the process of changing the adjustment item in step S53, the process proceeds to step S54 and is detected by the right operation unit 312. It is determined whether or not the contact position changes. Here, if the contact position detected by the right operation unit 312 changes, the adjustment amount for the adjustment item selected at that time is changed according to the change amount of the position, and the display is also supported. (Step S55). For example, as shown in FIG. 14C, when [Brightness] is selected as the adjustment item and the contact position detected by the operation unit 312 changes to the upper side or the lower side, the value is adjusted from the current adjustment amount of 45%. Vary up or down.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not processing for ending the adjustment mode has been performed (step S56). As the determination here, for example, one of the adjustment items set by the change of the contact position of the left operation unit 311 is provided with an item displayed as “adjustment mode end”, and the left operation unit 311 is operated. When the item is selected, the adjustment mode is terminated. Alternatively, the adjustment mode is terminated when the contact between the two operation units 311 and 312 has not been performed for some time. Alternatively, the adjustment mode is terminated by operating any key. If the adjustment mode termination process is not performed, the process returns to the determination in step S52.

  In this manner, using the two slider-type operation units 311 and 312 on the left and right sides, it is possible to easily adjust the data set in the device using the fingers of the hand holding the PDA 300 or the like. Although an example of performing adjustment has been described here, other input operations may be performed by the same processing.

  Next, an example in which the input device of this example configured as a slider-type input device is incorporated in another electronic device will be described. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the slider type input device of this example is incorporated in a card type data processing terminal (hereinafter referred to as a card type device). The card-type device 400 of this example is configured in a card-like thin casing, includes a display unit 401 and the like, and a slider-type operation unit 411 is disposed on the end surface of the device (ie, a card). Further, a slider type operation unit 411 is arranged on the back side at a position behind the slider type operation unit 411.

  Each slider type operation unit 411, 412 is configured as the input device shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, for example, and can be operated by touching the operation unit with a finger or the like. In this case, according to the principle shown in FIG. 3, it is set as the structure which can detect also the simultaneous contact of several places.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation state of the device 400. Here, in addition to the operation using the operation units 411 and 412 on each surface independently, the operation using the operation units 411 and 412 on both the front and back surfaces can be performed simultaneously. That is, as shown in FIG. 18A, the end surface of the card-type device 400 where the operation units 411 and 412 are arranged is sandwiched between two fingers, the operation units 411 and 412 are touched, and the touched one finger is used. The position where the front-side operation unit 411 is touched is moved upward, and the position where the other finger touches the back-side operation unit 412 is moved downward. By operating to widen the distance between the two fingers in this way, for example, the display scale and display magnification of the screen displayed on the display unit 401 can be changed as in the example shown in FIG. A zoom process for changing to one is performed. In contrast to the operation in FIG. 18A, when the operation is performed so that the distance between two fingers is narrowed, the display magnification or display scale (or display magnification) of the screen is changed in the reverse direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, the end face on which the operation units 411 and 412 of the card type device 400 are arranged is sandwiched between two fingers, the operation units 411 and 412 are touched, and the two touched fingers Are moved downward at substantially the same time, the display position of the screen displayed on the display unit 401 is scrolled downward. Also, contrary to the operation of FIG. 18B, when two fingers are moved upward almost simultaneously, the display position of the screen displayed on the display unit 401 is scrolled upward.

  An example of processing in the controller when performing input processing in this way will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19. First, whether or not it is detected by the slider-type operation units 411 and 412 on the front and back at the same time is detected. Judgment is made (step S61). In this determination, when it is detected that only one of the operation units is in contact or in a state where there is no contact, the process proceeds to another process (not shown). When it is detected that the operation units 411 and 412 are in contact at the same time, it is determined whether the contact positions are changed in the same direction by the slider-type operation units 411 and 412 on the front and back sides (step). S62). If it is determined that the direction is changed in the same direction, the process proceeds to step S63 to perform a display scroll process.

  If no change in the same direction is detected in step S62, it is determined whether the slider-type operation units 411 and 412 on the front and back sides are changing in different directions (step S63). If it is determined that the direction has changed in a different direction, the process proceeds to step S64 to perform display zoom processing.

  In this way, the slider type operation units 411 and 412 are provided on both the front and back sides, and display scroll processing and zoom processing are performed according to the operation state of the two slider type operation units 411 and 412, for example, card type While holding the device 400 with one hand, it is possible to perform advanced operations using only the fingers of that hand. Here, display scroll processing and zoom processing are performed, but input processing of other functions required by the device 400 may be performed by the same operation.

  The devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 described so far are examples of devices to which a jog-type or slider-type operation unit is applied, and various electronic devices other than these devices 100 to 400 can be used. Of course, the operation unit of this example is applicable.

  In the example of the input device shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the vibrator 40 is provided, and a temporary vibration is applied based on the detection of the contact position to give a click feeling. Depending on the device to be used, such a vibration means may be omitted so as not to vibrate. Further, even when the vibrator 40 is provided, it may be configured not to vibrate depending on the operation mode.

  In addition, in the circuit configuration of the input device shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, a signal is applied to each electrode in a time division manner to detect a signal transmitted through each electrode in a time division manner. Alternatively, a signal transmitted through each electrode may be detected by processing.

  In the examples described so far, the input device detects contact of a finger that is a living body within a predetermined range such as an annular or linear concave portion. However, the input device is not a living body such as an input pen. Of course, it is possible to detect the contact of the object and perform the input process based on the detection of the contact.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example (example 1 of a jog dial type) of the input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the state (FIG. 2A) which touched the input device by one embodiment of this invention, and its output characteristic example (FIG. 2B). It is explanatory drawing which showed the state (FIG. 3A) which touched the input device by one embodiment of this invention simultaneously, and its output characteristic example (FIG. 3B). It is a flowchart which shows the process example based on the input detection by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example (example 2 of a jog dial type) of the input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example (example combined with the push switch) of the input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example (slider type example 1) of the input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structural example (slider type example 2) of the input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the example which applied the input device by one embodiment of this invention to the audio equipment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of operation of the jog dial type input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the example of input judgment by the example of operation of FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the example which applied the input device by one embodiment of this invention to the mobile telephone terminal. It is the perspective view which showed the example which applied the input device by one embodiment of this invention to PDA. It is explanatory drawing which showed the operation example of the slider type input device by one embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the example of a process by the example of operation of FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example in an adjustment mode according to the operation example of FIG. 14. FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the example which applied the input device by one embodiment of this invention to the card type apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of operation of the apparatus of the example of FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the operation example of FIG. 18. FIG. It is the perspective view which showed an example of the mobile telephone terminal provided with the conventional jog dial type | mold input device.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Housing, 11 ... Recess, 12 ... Through-hole, 13 ... Button, 14 ... Shaft, 15 ... Recess, 20 ... Substrate, 21 ... Electrode, 22 ... Through-hole, 23 ... Electrode, 30 ... Substrate, 31, 31 '... electrode, 32 ... through hole, 33 ... electrode, 40 ... vibrator, 41, 41' ... signal source, 42, 42a, 42b ... switch, 43 ... amplifier, 44 ... synchronous detector, 45 ... low pass filter, 46 ... Analog / digital converter, 47 ... Controller, 48 ... Pulse generator, 50 ... Substrate, 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b ... Electrode, 100 ... Audio equipment, 101 ... Jack, 102 ... Headphone, 103 ... Plug, 104 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Display part 111 ... Annular operation part (concave part) 112 ... Push button part, 200 ... Mobile phone terminal, 201 ... 1st housing | casing, 202 ... 2nd housing | casing, 203 ... Joint part, 204 ... Key, 205 ... Numeral 211, annular operation part (concave part), 212 push button part, 300 PDA, 301 display part, 303 operation key, 311, 312, 313 slider type operation part, 400 card type device, 401 ... Display unit, 411, 412 ... Slider type operation unit

Claims (6)

A display for displaying information;
An information processing apparatus having first and second contact position detection units for detecting a contact position of a living body or an object ;
The first and second contact position detection units are arranged separately on one end and the other end of the information processing apparatus,
When the first contact position detection unit and the second contact position detection unit detect contact at the same time, according to the change of the contact detection position by the first contact position detection unit, The adjustment amount of the adjustment item for controlling the operation is increased / decreased, the adjustment item is changed according to the change of the contact detection position by the second contact position detection unit, and the changed adjustment item and the adjustment amount are displayed. Display in the department
Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The first contact position detection unit detects a change in the distance between the contact detection positions when detecting contact at any two locations simultaneously,
The display unit enlarges and displays the information displayed on the display unit according to the increase amount of the distance, and reduces the information displayed on the display unit according to the decrease amount of the distance.
Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
One end where the first contact position detection unit is arranged is a left or right end of the information processing apparatus,
The other end on which the second contact position detector is disposed is the right or left end of the information processing apparatus.
Information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
One end where the first contact position detection unit is disposed is an end of the surface of the information processing apparatus,
The other end on which the second contact position detection unit is disposed is an end on the back surface that overlaps the position on the front surface on which the first contact position detection unit is disposed.
Information processing device. A display for displaying information;
In the information processing method of the information processing apparatus in which the first and second contact position detection units for detecting the contact position of the living body or the object are arranged separately on one end and the other end of the information processing apparatus,
A simultaneous contact detection step of detecting contact simultaneously with the first contact position detection unit and the second contact position detection unit;
When the simultaneous contact is detected in the simultaneous contact detection step, the adjustment amount of the adjustment item for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus is increased or decreased according to the change in the contact detection position by the first contact position detection unit, An adjustment step of changing the adjustment item according to a change in the contact detection position by the second contact position detection unit, and displaying the changed adjustment item and the adjustment amount on the display unit.
Information processing method. The information processing method according to claim 5,
When contact is detected simultaneously at any two locations of the first contact position detector, a change in the distance between the contact detection positions is detected,
The information displayed on the display unit is enlarged according to the distance increase amount, and the information displayed on the display unit is reduced according to the distance decrease amount.
Information processing method.

Images