JP4799506B2 - Input device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that accepts an input operation and an electronic device including the input device.

In recent years, various types of input devices such as a mouse or a joystick have been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses a three-way operation joystick provided with an operation knob on the top of the joystick. Patent Document 2 discloses a spatial position indicator that analyzes the operation of an indicator member connected to tension detectors that are dispersedly arranged in three directions.
(For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-4-263308 JP 2003-29920 A

  However, in recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones or portable music players equipped with an input device have been downsized, and the input device has to be downsized accordingly. Although the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can analyze multi-directional operations, it has been difficult to apply to a small apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to allow the movement of the operating rod by inserting both ends of the operating rod into the housing, and detect this movement in a small apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of outputting operation information with high accuracy and an electronic apparatus including the input device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of outputting operation information in three axial directions by providing a sensor for detecting a change in capacitance in the longitudinal direction inside the operation rod, and the input device. To provide electronic equipment.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of outputting rotation operation information in the direction of the rod axis by providing a mechanism for rotating the operation rod itself about the rod axis, and the input device. To provide electronic equipment.

An input device according to the present invention is provided around a front end of the operation rod inside the housing, an operation rod having both ends inserted into the housing, and the inside of the housing, and detects movement of the operation rod. A plurality of detection units; a plurality of detection units; a calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units; and an output unit that outputs operation information calculated by the calculation unit. Includes a horizontal direction detection unit that detects horizontal movement of the operation rod and a vertical direction detection unit that detects vertical movement of the operation rod, and the horizontal direction detection unit is one end of the operation rod. A first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at the side end, and a third horizontal direction detection provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at the other end side of the operation rod. And a fourth horizontal direction detection unit, wherein the vertical direction detection unit is the operation A first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation bar, and a third vertical provided in a pair in a substantially vertical direction at the other end of the operation rod. characterized Rukoto a direction detecting unit and the fourth vertical direction detector.

An input device according to the present invention is provided around a front end of the operation rod inside the housing, an operation rod having both ends inserted into the housing, and the inside of the housing, and detects movement of the operation rod. A plurality of detection units; a plurality of detection units; a calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units; and an output unit that outputs operation information calculated by the calculation unit. Are a horizontal direction detection unit that detects horizontal movement of the operation rod, a vertical direction detection unit that detects vertical movement of the operation rod, and a longitudinal direction detection that detects movement of the operation rod in the longitudinal direction. The horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod, and the other end of the operation rod. A third horizontal direction detector and a fourth one provided in pairs in the substantially horizontal direction of the side tips A first direction detecting unit and a second second direction detecting unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of one end of the operation bar, and the operation bar. A third vertical direction detection unit and a fourth vertical direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially vertical direction at the tip of the other end side, and the longitudinal direction detection unit is provided in the longitudinal direction on one end side of the operation rod. And a second longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on the other end side of the operation rod .

  In the input device according to the present invention, the operation rod includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged in a longitudinal direction, and a second electrode that is disposed opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and extends in the longitudinal direction, The unit is configured to calculate operation information based on outputs from the plurality of detection units and a signal based on a change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. .

  In the input device according to the present invention, the calculation unit simultaneously detects the movement of the operation bar by the first horizontal direction detection unit and a fourth horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally to the first horizontal direction detection unit. Or when the movement of the operation bar is detected simultaneously by the second horizontal direction detection unit and the third horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally with respect to the second horizontal direction detection unit. It is configured to calculate the operation information according to the above.

  In the input device according to the present invention, the calculation unit simultaneously detects the movement of the operation rod by the first vertical direction detection unit and a fourth vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally to the first vertical direction detection unit. If the movement of the operating rod is detected simultaneously by the second vertical direction detection unit and the third vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally to the second vertical direction detection unit, the vertical rotation operation It is configured to calculate the operation information according to the above.

An input device according to the present invention is provided around a front end of the operation rod inside the housing, an operation rod having both ends inserted into the housing, and the inside of the housing, and detects movement of the operation rod. A plurality of detection units; a plurality of detection units; a calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units; and an output unit that outputs operation information calculated by the calculation unit. Includes a horizontal direction detection unit that detects horizontal movement of the operation rod and a vertical direction detection unit that detects vertical movement of the operation rod, and the horizontal direction detection unit is one end of the operation rod. A first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at the side tip, and the vertical direction detection unit is provided in a pair in a substantially vertical direction at one end side of the operation rod. A first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit. And butterflies.

An input device according to the present invention is provided around a front end of the operation rod inside the housing, an operation rod having both ends inserted into the housing, and the inside of the housing, and detects movement of the operation rod. A plurality of detection units; a plurality of detection units; a calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units; and an output unit that outputs operation information calculated by the calculation unit. Are a horizontal direction detection unit that detects horizontal movement of the operation rod, a vertical direction detection unit that detects vertical movement of the operation rod, and a longitudinal direction detection that detects movement of the operation rod in the longitudinal direction. The horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod, and the vertical direction detection unit. Are provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod. 1 vertical direction detection part and 2nd vertical direction detection part, The said longitudinal direction detection part is the 1st longitudinal direction detection part provided in the longitudinal direction of the one end side of the said operating rod, and the other end side of the said operating rod And a second longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction.

  The input device according to the present invention includes a rotation detection unit that is provided on one end side of the operation rod inside the housing and detects rotation about the rod axis of the operation rod. When rotation of the operation rod is detected by the rotation detector, operation information related to the rotation operation is output.

  The input device according to the present invention includes a cap that covers the operation rod.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the input device according to any one of the above.

  In the present invention, the operating rod is inserted into the housing so that both ends can move. The detection unit is provided around the tip of the operation bar inside the housing and detects the movement of the operation bar. Specifically, the horizontal direction detection unit detects the horizontal movement of the operation bar, the vertical direction detection unit detects the vertical movement of the operation bar, and the longitudinal direction detection unit detects the movement of the operation bar in the longitudinal direction. To detect. The calculation unit calculates operation information based on an input operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units. The output unit outputs the operation information calculated by the calculation unit.

  In the present invention, the operating rod includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a second electrode that is disposed opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and extends in the longitudinal direction. And a calculating part calculates operation information based on the signal based on the change from the output from a some detection part, and the electrostatic capacitance between each 1st electrode and 2nd electrode.

  In the present invention, the horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod, and the other end of the operation rod. A third horizontal direction detector and a fourth horizontal direction detector provided in pairs in the substantially horizontal direction. The first horizontal direction detection unit and the third horizontal direction detection unit detect movement in the left horizontal direction, respectively. The second horizontal direction detection unit and the fourth horizontal direction detection unit detect movement in the right horizontal direction.

  In the present invention, the vertical direction detection unit includes a first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in a pair in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod, and the other end of the operation rod. A third vertical direction detection unit and a fourth vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in the substantially vertical direction. The first vertical direction detection unit and the third vertical direction detection unit detect movement in the upper vertical direction, respectively. The second vertical direction detection unit and the fourth vertical direction detection unit detect movement in the lower vertical direction, respectively.

  In the present invention, the longitudinal direction detection unit includes a first longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on one end side of the operation rod, and a second longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on the other end side of the operation rod. With. The first longitudinal direction detection unit detects the movement in the longitudinal direction of the operation rod, and the second longitudinal direction detection unit detects the movement in the front direction in the longitudinal direction.

  In the present invention, the calculation unit detects the movement of the operating rod by the first horizontal direction detection unit and the fourth horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, or the second horizontal direction detection unit. When the movement of the operation bar is detected by the third horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, operation information related to the horizontal rotation operation is calculated.

  In the present invention, the calculation unit detects the movement of the operating rod at the same time by the first vertical direction detection unit and the fourth vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, or detects the second vertical direction. When the movement of the operating rod is detected at the same time by the unit and the third vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, operation information related to the vertical rotation operation is calculated.

  In the present invention, the horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit that are provided in a pair in the substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod. The vertical direction detection unit includes a first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit that are provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod.

  In the present invention, the horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit that are provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod. And a first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod. Similarly, the longitudinal direction detection unit includes a first longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on one end side of the operation rod and a second longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on the other end side of the operation rod. Prepare.

  In the present invention, a rotation detection unit that detects rotation about the rod axis of the operation rod is provided on one end side of the operation rod inside the housing. When the rotation detection unit detects the rotation of the operation rod, the calculation unit outputs operation information related to the rotation operation.

  In the present invention, the operating rod is inserted into the housing so that both ends can move. The detection unit is provided around the tip of the operation bar inside the housing and detects the movement of the operation bar. The calculation unit calculates operation information based on an input operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units. Thereby, an intuitive operation can be performed even in a small apparatus.

  In the present invention, the operating rod includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged in the longitudinal direction, and a second electrode that is disposed opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and extends in the longitudinal direction. And a calculating part calculates operation information based on the signal based on the change from the output from a some detection part, and the electrostatic capacitance between each 1st electrode and 2nd electrode. Thereby, movement in the longitudinal direction of the operation rod is detected by the first electrode and the second electrode inside the operation rod, and intuitive input in three axes is possible by combining with the horizontal direction detection unit and the vertical direction detection unit. It becomes.

  In the present invention, the first horizontal direction detection unit and the third horizontal direction detection unit detect movement in the left horizontal direction, respectively. The second horizontal direction detection unit and the fourth horizontal direction detection unit detect movement in the right horizontal direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to output the operation information in the horizontal direction as the operation bar moves in the horizontal direction.

  In the present invention, the first vertical direction detection unit and the third vertical direction detection unit detect the movement in the upper vertical direction, respectively. The second vertical direction detection unit and the fourth vertical direction detection unit detect movement in the lower vertical direction, respectively. Thereby, it becomes possible to output the operation information in the vertical direction as the operation rod moves in the vertical direction.

  In the present invention, the first longitudinal direction detection unit detects the movement of the operation rod in the longitudinal direction, and the second longitudinal direction detection unit detects the movement of the longitudinal direction in the near direction. As a result, it is possible to output operation information in the longitudinal direction as the operation rod moves in the longitudinal direction.

  In the present invention, the calculation unit detects the movement of the operating rod by the first horizontal direction detection unit and the fourth horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, or the second horizontal direction detection unit. When the movement of the operation bar is detected by the third horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, operation information related to the horizontal rotation operation is calculated. Thereby, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the rotation operation of a horizontal direction by adding the twist operation | movement in a horizontal surface with respect to an operation stick | rod.

  In the present invention, the calculation unit detects the movement of the operating rod by the first vertical direction detection unit and the fourth vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally thereto, or the second vertical direction detection unit. When the movement of the operation rod is detected by the third vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally to this, the operation information related to the vertical rotation operation is calculated. Thereby, it becomes possible to implement | achieve the rotation operation of a perpendicular direction by adding the twist operation | movement in a vertical surface with respect to an operation stick | rod.

  In the present invention, the horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit that are provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod. And a first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod. Accordingly, it is possible to output operation information in two axial directions with a simple configuration.

  In the present invention, the horizontal direction detection unit includes a first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit that are provided in a pair in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod. And a first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod. Similarly, the longitudinal direction detection unit includes a first longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on one end side of the operation rod and a second longitudinal direction detection unit provided in the longitudinal direction on the other end side of the operation rod. Prepare. Accordingly, it is possible to output operation information in the three-axis directions with a simple configuration.

  In the present invention, the arithmetic unit outputs operation information relating to the rotation operation when the rotation operation of the operation rod with respect to the axis direction of the operation rod is detected by a rotation detection unit provided at one end of the operation rod. Therefore, by rotating the rod axis, the present invention has excellent effects such as enabling input related to a pivoting operation around the rod axis.

Embodiment 1
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an electronic device, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the top surface of the electronic device, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing the right side surface of the electronic device. In this embodiment, an example in which an electronic device is applied to a display device including a display unit for browsing image data will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a mobile phone, a television, a recording device, or an air conditioner is used. A remote controller, a portable music player, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), or a portable game machine may be used.

  The display device 1 includes a housing 19, a display unit 14, supports 191 and 192, an input device 13, and an operation bar 3. The casing 19 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is made of, for example, plastic. The upper surface of the housing 19 is open, and the display unit 14 is arranged so as to face upward in the opened portion. Supports 191 and 192 having a predetermined thickness project in the longitudinal direction at both ends of the right side surface of the housing 19. Each of the supports 191 and 192 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a detection unit to be described later. A through-hole 193 is formed in a substantially central portion of the surface of the support 191 that faces the support 192. In the present embodiment, the through hole 193 has a circular shape in plan view, but may have a rectangular shape in plan view.

  Similarly, a through hole 194 opposite to the through hole 193 is formed on one surface of the support 192 and in the substantially central portion of the surface facing the support 191. The operation rod 3 has a cylindrical shape formed of plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, or the like, and the length thereof is a surface on which the through hole 193 of the support 191 is formed and a surface on which the through hole 194 of the support 192 is formed. It is formed slightly longer than the installation interval. One end of the operation rod 3 is inserted into the through hole 193 and the other end is inserted into the through hole 194.

  The diameters of the through hole 193 and the through hole 194 are configured to be larger than the diameter of the operation rod 3. Since the operation rod 3 is inserted into the hollow supports 191 and 192 with the large-diameter through holes 193 and 194 at both ends, the longitudinal direction (z direction shown in FIG. 1) and the longitudinal direction It is possible to move respectively in the horizontal direction (x direction shown in FIG. 1) and the vertical direction (y direction shown in the figure) with respect to the longitudinal direction. In the following, as shown by the x, y, z coordinate system in FIG. 1, the direction is the horizontal direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the operation bar 3, and the direction in which the operation bar 3 is separated from the display unit 14 is the x direction. Is x negative direction. Further, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3, a direction from the bottom surface of the housing 19 toward the top surface is a positive y direction, and a direction from the top surface of the housing 19 to the bottom surface is a negative y direction. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3 and the direction from the support 192 to the support 191 is the z positive direction, and the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3 and the direction from the support 191 to the support 192 is z negative. The direction. In the present embodiment, the operation rod is described as having a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this shape, and may be a quadrangular prism shape, a triangular prism shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the supports 191 and 192 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-section taken along line VV in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support 191 includes a first horizontal direction detection unit (hereinafter referred to as a first horizontal sensor) h1, a second horizontal direction detection unit (hereinafter referred to as a second horizontal sensor) h2, 1 vertical direction detector (hereinafter referred to as a first vertical sensor) v1, a second vertical direction detector (hereinafter referred to as a second vertical sensor) v2, and a first longitudinal direction detector (hereinafter referred to as a first longitudinal sensor) d1 are provided. A second longitudinal direction detection unit (hereinafter, referred to as a second longitudinal sensor) d2 serving as a detection unit is provided inside the support body 192. In the following, these are collectively represented by the sensor S in some cases.

  For example, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a switch, or an optical sensor is used as the first horizontal sensor h1, and the bottom surface thereof is fixed to one side surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 191, and a sensor surface for detecting movement exists in the positive x direction. Opposite to the operating rod 3. Hereinafter, the first horizontal sensor h1 will be described as a pressure-sensitive sensor. In the case of a pressure sensor, it is usually possible to detect the pressure step by step, but here, in order to simplify the description, it will be described as a pressure sensor that detects on or off. Of course, the force applied to the operating rod 3 may be detected in stages, and the control associated therewith may be divided in stages. When the operating rod 3 moves in the x negative direction, the tip side surface of the operating rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the first horizontal sensor h1. Accordingly, the first horizontal sensor h1 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the first horizontal sensor h1 to the outside. Similarly, the second horizontal sensor h2 is disposed opposite to the first horizontal sensor h1 via the operation rod 3, and the bottom surface thereof is fixed to the other side surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 191, and detects the movement. The surface faces the operation rod 3 present in the x negative direction. When the operation rod 3 moves in the x positive direction, the tip side surface of the operation rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the second horizontal sensor h2. Thus, the second horizontal sensor h2 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the second horizontal sensor h2 to the outside.

  The bottom surface of the first vertical sensor v1 is fixed to the top surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 191, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement faces the operation rod 3 that exists in the negative y direction. When the operation rod 3 moves in the positive y direction, the tip side surface of the operation rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the first vertical sensor v1. Accordingly, the first vertical sensor v1 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the first vertical sensor v1 to the outside. The bottom surface of the second vertical sensor v2 is fixed to the bottom surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 191, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement is opposed to the operation rod 3 present in the positive y direction. When the operation rod 3 moves in the y negative direction, the tip side surface of the operation rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the second vertical sensor v2. Thus, the second vertical sensor v2 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the second vertical sensor v2.

  The bottom surface of the first longitudinal sensor d1 is fixed to the back surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 191, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement faces the operation rod 3 that exists in the z negative direction. When the operating rod 3 moves in the positive z direction, the tip end surface of the operating rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the first longitudinal sensor d1. Accordingly, the first longitudinal sensor d1 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the first longitudinal sensor d1 to the outside. A second longitudinal sensor d2 for detecting the movement of the operating rod 3 in the negative z direction is provided inside the support 192 at a position facing the first longitudinal sensor d1 with the operating rod 3 interposed. The bottom surface of the second longitudinal sensor d2 is fixed to the back surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 192, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement is opposed to the operation rod 3 that exists in the z positive direction. When the operating rod 3 moves in the z negative direction, the end surface of the operating rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the second longitudinal sensor d2. Accordingly, the second longitudinal sensor d2 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the second longitudinal sensor d2 to the outside.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the display device 1 including the input device 13 according to the first embodiment. The display device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, and an input device 13 as control units. The CPU 11 is connected to each hardware unit of the display device 1 via the bus 17 and controls them, and various software functions related to input processing and display processing according to a control program 15P stored in the storage unit 15. Execute.

  The storage unit 15 includes a hard disk, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an FeRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory), or the like. The image file 151 for storing the image data and the menu screen is stored. The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and displays an image stored in the image file 151 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11 based on operation information output from the input device 13.

  The input device 13 includes an output unit 16, a calculation unit 10, a memory 100, a sensor S including a first horizontal sensor h1, and the like. The first horizontal sensor h1, the second horizontal sensor h2, the first vertical sensor v1, the second vertical sensor v2, the first longitudinal sensor d1, and the second longitudinal sensor d2 are each connected to the calculation unit 10, and When the movement is detected, a detection signal corresponding to each sensor S is output to the calculation unit 10. The calculation unit 10 receives a detection signal from the sensor S, calculates operation information with reference to the operation table 101 (FIG. 7) stored in the memory 100, and outputs the operation information to the output unit 16. The output unit 16 is an interface circuit, and outputs operation information in the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions to the CPU 11.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of the operation table 101 according to the first embodiment. The operation table 101 includes a sensor field and an operation information field. Detection signals output from the sensor S are stored in the sensor field, and corresponding operation information is stored in the operation information field corresponding to each detection signal. In addition, what is indicated by the numeral “1” in the sensor field indicates that a detection signal is output from the corresponding sensor S. Hereinafter, the contents of the operation information will be described in the order of records. When the operation bar 3 moves in the x positive direction (right direction), a detection signal is output from the second horizontal sensor h2, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs a right cursor movement as operation information. When the operation bar 3 moves in the x negative direction (left direction), a detection signal is output from the first horizontal sensor h1, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs a left cursor movement as operation information.

  When the operation bar 3 moves in the positive z direction (backward direction), a detection signal is output from the first longitudinal sensor d1, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs an up cursor movement as operation information. When the operation bar 3 moves in the z negative direction (frontward direction), a detection signal is output from the second longitudinal sensor d2, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs a downward cursor movement as operation information.

  When the operation bar 3 moves in the positive y direction (upward), a detection signal is output from the first vertical sensor v1, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs an image enlargement as operation information. When the operation bar 3 moves in the y negative direction (downward), a detection signal is output from the second vertical sensor v2, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs image reduction as operation information. Note that the types and assignments of the operation information for the respective operation signals shown in FIG. 7 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

  The output unit 16 outputs the operation information output from the calculation unit 10 to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 that has received the operation information operates the pointer or cursor based on the operation information, or performs selection, enlargement, or reduction processing of the read image. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a cursor operation based on operation information in the x-axis direction. The CPU 11 generates reduced images of a plurality of image data from the image file 151, and arranges the generated reduced images as a plurality of thumbnail images 41, 41,... On the display unit 14 in a grid pattern. The user selects an image to be displayed with a cursor 42 surrounding the thumbnail image 41.

  When the user moves the operation stick 3 in the x negative direction, an operation signal related to the first horizontal sensor h1 is output to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 moves the cursor 42 to the left and selects another thumbnail image 41. On the other hand, when the user moves the operation stick 3 in the x-direction, an operation signal related to the second horizontal sensor h2 is output to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 moves the cursor 42 to the right and selects another thumbnail image 41. To do.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a cursor operation based on operation information in the z-axis direction. The CPU 11 generates reduced images of a plurality of image data from the image file 151, and arranges the generated reduced images as a plurality of thumbnail images 41, 41,... On the display unit 14 in a grid pattern. The user selects an image to be displayed with a cursor 42 surrounding the thumbnail image 41.

  When the user moves the operation stick 3 in the positive z direction, an operation signal related to the first longitudinal sensor d1 is output to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 moves the cursor 42 upward to select another thumbnail image 41. On the other hand, when the user moves the operation stick 3 in the negative z direction, an operation signal related to the second longitudinal sensor d2 is output to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 moves the cursor 42 downward to select another thumbnail image 41. To do.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when the operation rod 3 is operated in the y-axis direction. FIG. 10A shows the right side surface of the display device 1, and FIG. 10B shows a plan view seen from above. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 10A, when the user moves the operation stick 3 in the positive y direction, an operation signal related to the first vertical sensor v1 is output to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 enlarges the image displayed on the display unit 14. I do. On the other hand, when the user moves the operation stick 3 in the negative y direction, an operation signal related to the second vertical sensor v2 is output to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 performs a reduction process on the image displayed on the display unit 14.

Embodiment 2
The second embodiment relates to a configuration in which a plurality of sensors S are added around the operation rod 3 inside the support 192 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the supports 191 and 192 according to the second embodiment. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. Since the inside of the support 191 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The inside of the support 192 is the second longitudinal sensor d2, the third horizontal direction detection unit (hereinafter referred to as third horizontal sensor) h3, the fourth horizontal direction detection unit (hereinafter referred to as fourth horizontal sensor) h4 described in the first embodiment, A third vertical direction detection unit (hereinafter referred to as third vertical sensor) v3 and a fourth vertical direction detection unit (hereinafter referred to as fourth vertical sensor) v4 are configured.

  The bottom surface of the third horizontal sensor h3 is fixed to one side surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 192, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement faces the operation rod 3 that exists in the x positive direction. When the operating rod 3 moves in the x negative direction, the tip side surface of the operating rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the third horizontal sensor h3. Accordingly, the third horizontal sensor h3 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the third horizontal sensor h3 to the outside. Similarly, the fourth horizontal sensor h4 is disposed opposite to the third horizontal sensor h3 via the operation rod 3, and the bottom surface thereof is fixed to the other side surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 192 to detect movement. The surface faces the operation rod 3 present in the x negative direction. When the operating bar 3 moves in the x positive direction, the tip side surface of the operating bar 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the fourth horizontal sensor h4. Thereby, the fourth horizontal sensor h4 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the fourth horizontal sensor h4 to the outside.

  The bottom surface of the third vertical sensor v3 is fixed to the top surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 192, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement faces the operation rod 3 that exists in the y negative direction. When the operating rod 3 moves in the positive y direction, the tip side surface of the operating rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the third vertical sensor v3. Accordingly, the third vertical sensor v3 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the third vertical sensor v3 to the outside. Further, the bottom surface of the fourth vertical sensor v4 is fixed to the bottom surface of the inner wall of the hollow support body 192, and the sensor surface for detecting the movement is opposed to the operation rod 3 that exists in the y-positive direction. When the operating rod 3 moves in the y negative direction, the tip side surface of the operating rod 3 comes into contact with the sensor surface of the fourth vertical sensor v4. Thereby, the fourth vertical sensor v4 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the fourth vertical sensor v4 to the outside.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the display device 1 including the input device 13 according to the second embodiment. In the sensor S, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a third horizontal sensor h3, a fourth horizontal sensor h4, a third vertical sensor v3, and a fourth vertical sensor v4 are connected to the calculation unit 10, respectively. When the movement of 3 is detected, a detection signal corresponding to each sensor S is output to the calculation unit 10.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of the operation table 101 according to the second embodiment. The operation table 101 stores operation information output in correspondence with detection signals from the sensors S. Hereinafter, each record will be described in order from the top. When the tip of the operation bar 3 on the support 191 side moves in the x negative direction (left direction), a detection signal is output from the first horizontal sensor h1, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs left as operation information. Output cursor movement. This is a case where the user operates the support 191 side of the operation rod 3 in the x negative direction side, and only the first horizontal sensor h1 reacts, and the third horizontal sensor h3 has sufficient operation rod 3 on its sensor surface. Since it is not touching with force, it indicates that this movement is not detected. When the tip of the operation rod 3 on the support 191 side moves in the x positive direction (right direction), a detection signal is output from the second horizontal sensor h2, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs the right as operation information. Output cursor movement.

  When the operation bar 3 moves in the positive z direction (backward direction), a detection signal is output from the first longitudinal sensor d1, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs an up cursor movement as operation information. When the operation bar 3 moves in the z negative direction (frontward direction), a detection signal is output from the second longitudinal sensor d2, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs a downward cursor movement as operation information.

  When the tip of the operation bar 3 on the support 192 side moves in the x negative direction (left direction), a detection signal is output from the third horizontal sensor h3, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs left as operation information. Output page switching. When the tip of the operation bar 3 on the support 192 side moves in the x positive direction (right direction), a detection signal is output from the fourth horizontal sensor h4, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs the right as operation information. Output page switching. This page switching means that when a sentence is composed of a plurality of pages such as a sentence in a word processor, the page is changed in a direction of increasing or decreasing the page.

  When both the support 191 side tip and the support 192 side tip of the operating rod 3 move in the x negative direction, detection signals are simultaneously detected from the first horizontal sensor h1 and the third horizontal sensor h3, and the calculation unit 10 Referring to the operation table 101, left scroll is output as operation information. This operation is performed when the user moves the operating bar 3 in the negative x direction near the center of the operating bar 3 or in the vicinity of the support 191 and the support 192. The first horizontal sensor h1 and the third horizontal sensor h3 Both of the sensor surfaces indicate that the movement of the tip side surface of the operation rod 3 is detected substantially simultaneously. Scrolling means a process of scrolling one line sequentially in one direction or the other direction when a sentence is composed of a plurality of pages such as a sentence in a word processor. When both the support 191 side tip and the support 192 side tip of the operating rod 3 move in the x positive direction, detection signals are simultaneously detected from the second horizontal sensor h2 and the fourth horizontal sensor h4, and the calculation unit 10 Referring to the operation table 101, right scroll is output as operation information.

  When the user grips the operating rod 3 and rotates it counterclockwise in a plan view, that is, when the operating rod 3 is rotated in the horizontal plane with respect to the axial direction of the operating rod 3, the operating rod 3 is supported. The tip of the body 191 side moves in the x negative direction, and the tip of the operating rod 3 on the support 192 side moves in the x positive direction. In this case, detection signals are detected from the first horizontal sensor h1 and the fourth horizontal sensor h4 located diagonally thereto, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs a horizontal image left rotation as operation information. To do. This horizontal image left rotation indicates image processing in which a two-dimensional image is rotated counterclockwise in plan view within a plane that defines a horizontal direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3. Similarly, when the user grips the operating rod 3 and rotates it clockwise in plan view, the tip of the operating rod 3 on the support 191 side moves in the x positive direction, and the operating rod 3 on the support 192 side The tip moves in the x negative direction. In this case, a detection signal is detected from the second horizontal sensor h2 and the third horizontal sensor h3 located diagonally thereto, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs a horizontal image clockwise rotation as operation information. To do. This clockwise rotation of the horizontal image indicates image processing in which the two-dimensional image is rotated in the clockwise direction in plan view within a plane that defines the horizontal direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of horizontal image rotation processing. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the user grips the operation rod 3 and rotates it clockwise in plan view, and detection signals are simultaneously detected from the second horizontal sensor h2 and the third horizontal sensor h3 diagonally positioned thereto. Indicates. In this case, the calculation unit 10 outputs the horizontal image clockwise rotation as operation information. Upon receiving this operation information, the CPU 11 performs image processing on the image displayed on the display unit 14 to rotate the image clockwise while maintaining the horizontal direction angle of the image with respect to the display unit 14. As described above, the process of rotating the image in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the horizontal direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3 is executed.

  When both the support 191 side tip and the support 192 side tip of the operation rod 3 are moved in the positive y direction, detection signals are simultaneously detected from the first vertical sensor v1 and the third vertical sensor v3, and the calculation unit 10 With reference to the operation table 101, image enlargement is output as operation information. On the other hand, when both the support 191 side tip and the support 192 side tip of the operation rod 3 move in the y negative direction, detection signals are simultaneously detected from the second vertical sensor v2 and the fourth vertical sensor v4, and the calculation unit Reference numeral 10 refers to the operation table 101 and outputs image reduction as operation information. The image enlargement / reduction process is the same as described with reference to FIG.

  When the user grips the operating bar 3 and rotates it counterclockwise in the right side view, that is, when the operating bar 3 is rotated on the vertical plane with respect to the bar axis direction of the operating bar 3, the operating bar 3 The front end of the support 191 side moves in the y positive direction, and the front end of the operating rod 3 on the support 192 side moves in the y negative direction. In this case, a detection signal is simultaneously detected from the first vertical sensor v1 and the fourth vertical sensor v4 diagonally opposite to the first vertical sensor v1, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and performs a vertical image forward rotation as operation information. Output. This vertical image front rotation is divided around the dividing line that divides the image evenly in the horizontal direction when the image displayed in the plane that defines the horizontal direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation bar 3 is divided. The process of rotating the image on the upper side of the line to the positive side in the vertical direction and the image on the lower side of the dividing line to the negative side of the vertical direction is shown.

  Similarly, when the user grips the operating rod 3 and rotates it clockwise in a right side view, the tip of the operating rod 3 on the support 191 side moves in the y negative direction, and the supporting body 192 of the operating rod 3 The side tip moves in the positive y direction. In this case, detection signals are simultaneously detected from the second vertical sensor v2 and the third vertical sensor v3 diagonally opposite to the second vertical sensor v2, and the calculation unit 10 refers to the operation table 101 and performs a vertical image back rotation as operation information. Output. This vertical image back rotation is performed by dividing the image displayed in a plane defining the horizontal direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation bar 3 around a dividing line that equally divides the image in the horizontal direction. The process of rotating the image on the upper side of the line to the negative side in the vertical direction and the image on the lower side of the dividing line to the positive side of the vertical direction is shown. Note that the types and assignments of the operation information for the respective operation signals shown in FIG. 14 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of image rotation processing in the vertical direction. 16A is a plan view of the display device 1, and FIG. 16B is a right side view of the display device 1. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the user grips the operating rod 3 and rotates it clockwise in a side view, and detection signals are simultaneously detected from the second vertical sensor v2 and the third vertical sensor v3 diagonally positioned on the second vertical sensor v2. Indicates. In this case, the calculation unit 10 outputs the vertical image back rotation as operation information. The CPU 11 receives this operation information, and the image displayed on the display unit 14 is centered on the dividing line indicated by the dotted line, and the image above the dividing line is below the dividing line toward the negative side in the vertical direction, that is, the back side of the drawing. Image processing is performed in which the image on the side rotates to the vertical positive side, that is, the front side of the page. As described above, the process of rotating the image in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of the vertical direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3 is executed.

  The second embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Embodiment 3
The third embodiment relates to a configuration in which a plurality of sensors S are provided inside the operation rod 3. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the supports 191 and 192 according to the third embodiment. The sensor S inside the support body 191 according to Embodiment 3 includes a first horizontal sensor h1, a second horizontal sensor h2, a first vertical sensor v1, and a second vertical sensor v2. In the third embodiment, instead of the first longitudinal sensor d1, a stopper d10 that restricts the movement of the operating rod 3 in the longitudinal direction is provided. The stopper d10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the back surface is fixed to the substantially central portion of the back surface of the hollow support body 191. Further, the front surface of the stopper d10 is opposed to the tip end surface of the operation rod 3.

  In the support 192, the sensor S is not present, and a stopper d20 is provided instead of the second longitudinal sensor d2. The stopper d20 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the back surface is fixed to the substantially central portion of the back surface of the hollow support 192 inner wall. Further, the front surface of the stopper d20 faces the end surface of the operation rod 3 at the front end. The distance between the front surface of the stopper d10 and the front surface of the stopper d20 is substantially the same as the length of the operation rod 3, and restricts the movement of the operation rod 3 in the longitudinal direction. The operation information in the z direction is generated by a plurality of sensors S inside the operation rod 3 described later. In the present embodiment, the sensor S is not provided in the support 192. However, as in the second embodiment, the third horizontal sensor h3, the fourth horizontal sensor h4, the third vertical sensor v3, and the second A four vertical sensor v4 may be provided.

  18 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the operation rod 3 according to Embodiment 3, and FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing details of FIG. The operation bar 3 includes a plurality of first electrodes 31, 31,..., Insulators 34 and 35, and a second electrode 32. A rod-shaped second electrode 32 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided at the center of the operation rod 3. The outer peripheral surface of the second electrode 32 is covered with an insulator 35 for forming a capacitor between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. A plurality of annular first electrodes 31, 31,... Are concentrically connected to the outer periphery of the second electrode 32 whose outer peripheral surface is covered with the insulator 35. The first electrodes 31, 31,... Are connected in the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3 at a predetermined interval so as not to contact each other. The first electrodes 31, 31,... Are fixed to the insulator 35 with an adhesive or the like.

  An insulator 34 such as rubber is further provided on the outer peripheral surface of the operation rod 3, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the first electrodes 31, 31,. As shown in FIG. 19, the wiring 36 protruding in the direction of the outer peripheral surface of the first electrode 31 is bent approximately 90 degrees in the middle of the operation rod 3 in the longitudinal direction, penetrates through the inside of the insulator 34, and is drawn out. As described above, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are arranged with a certain distance therebetween via the insulator 35. The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 function as a capacitor having a predetermined amount of capacitance. When the user's finger is brought close to the operation rod 3, the magnetic field around the first electrode 31 changes, and the capacitance Changes. The wirings 36, 36,... Are connected to the first electrodes 31, 31,..., Respectively, and output electric signals related to changes in capacitance. On the other hand, the wiring 37 is also drawn from one end face of the second electrode 32.

  Therefore, when one first electrode 31 and the other first electrode 31 connected in the longitudinal direction of the operation rod 3 are traced in this order, the electric signal relating to the capacitance of the first electrode 31 The change is detected first, and then the change of the electrical signal related to the capacitance of the other first electrode 31 is detected. Thereby, it can be recognized that the user has traced the first electrode 31 in the continuous direction. The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 may be made of tungsten, copper, iridium oxide, or the like. The electrode material is not limited to this.

  An insulator 35 such as a thermoplastic resin is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the second electrode 32. Then, the plurality of first annular electrodes 31 are bonded to the outer periphery of the insulator 35 at predetermined intervals. The wires 36, 36,... Protruding from the outer peripheral surfaces of the first electrodes 31, 31,... Are bent in the longitudinal direction so as not to contact each other, and then the first electrodes 31, 31,. And the circumference | surroundings of wiring 36,36, ... are wound with insulators 34, such as a thermoplastic resin.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the display device 1 including the input device 13 according to the third embodiment. Instead of the first longitudinal sensor d1 and the second longitudinal sensor d2 of the first embodiment, a capacitance detection unit 30 is provided. .. Are connected to the capacitance detection unit 30, and are connected to a wiring 37 from the second electrode 32. The electrostatic capacitance detection unit 30 outputs the electrostatic capacitance between the second electrode 32 and the first electrodes 31, 31,. For example, an electric signal (voltage value or current value) related to capacitance is input to the calculation unit 10 in association with the channel number of the first electrode 31. In the following description, it is assumed that a voltage corresponding to the capacitance is output from the capacitance detection unit 30 to the calculation unit 10.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents stored in the capacitance file 102 in the memory 100 according to the third embodiment. The electrostatic capacity file 102 in the memory 100 stores a reference voltage Vref and a threshold voltage Vth. When the user does not touch each first electrode 31 of the operation rod 3, a voltage related to the change in capacitance is output from the capacitance detection unit 30 in association with each first electrode 31. In this case, the output voltage is substantially the same as the reference voltage Vref stored in the capacitance file 102 in the memory 100. On the other hand, when the user touches the first electrode 31, the voltage output from the capacitance detection unit 30 decreases. The arithmetic unit 10 compares the output voltage with the threshold voltage Vth stored in the capacitance file 102 in the memory 100, and determines that the first electrode 31 has been operated when the output voltage is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage Vth. .

  The electrostatic capacity file 102 in the memory 100 stores z coordinate values in association with channel numbers. In the channel number field, channel numbers (for example, 1, 2,...) Associated with the first electrodes 31, 31,. In the z coordinate value field, coordinate values in the z-axis direction are stored in association with each channel number. For example, channel number 1 is the first electrode 31 located on the front side of the operation bar 3 in FIG. When the output voltage of the first electrode 31 related to the channel number 1 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold voltage Vth, the arithmetic unit 10 reads the z coordinate value 0 stored in the z coordinate value field.

  The direction toward the back side of FIG. 1 is the z-axis positive direction, the channel number value increases, and the z-axis coordinate value is stored so as to increase accordingly. As described above, the coordinate values (x, y, z) associated with the movement of the operation bar 3 and the contact with the operation bar 3 are output to the output unit 16. The output unit 16 outputs coordinate values (x, y, z) to the CPU 11 as operation information.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation information calculation processing in the z-axis direction according to the third embodiment. The arithmetic unit 10 reads the threshold voltage Vth from the capacitance file 102 in the memory 100 when the main switch (not shown) of the display device 1 is turned on (step S211). The calculation unit 10 receives the channel number output from the capacitance detection unit 30 and the voltage value related to the capacitance of each of the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 associated with the channel number (step S212). The arithmetic unit 10 determines whether or not the received voltage value is equal to or lower than the read threshold voltage Vth (step S213).

  When the calculation unit 10 determines that the voltage value is not equal to or lower than the threshold voltage Vth (NO in step S213), the calculation unit 10 proceeds to step S212 and repeats the above processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the voltage value is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage Vth (YES in step S213), the z coordinate value corresponding to the accepted channel number is read from the capacitance file 102 in the memory 100 (step S214). The calculation unit 10 outputs the read z coordinate value to the CPU 11 via the output unit 16 as the current z coordinate value of the operation stick 3 (step S215). In the present embodiment, the z-coordinate value is stored in the capacitance file 102 in the memory 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the number of numbers increases over time (when the channel number changes from 1 → 2 → 3), the operation information is calculated in the z positive direction, and the number of channel numbers below the threshold voltage decreases over time (When the channel number changes from 3 → 2 → 1), it may be recognized as operation information in the negative z direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the operation rod 3 is supported by the supports 191 and 192 protruding from the housing 19. However, the housing 19 on the display unit 14 side is provided with a recess, and the operation rod is formed by both ends of the recess. 3 may be supported.

  The third embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. Therefore, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

Embodiment 4
The fourth embodiment relates to a cap that covers the supports 191 and 192 and the operation rod 3. FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view showing an attachment image of a cap that covers the supports 191 and 192 and the operation rod 3, and FIG. 24 is a perspective view from the left side of the cap. The cap 50 has a hollow portion 51 which is formed of, for example, plastic and is open on one side. The cap 50 is formed with a cavity 51 having a size that can accommodate the supports 191 and 192 and the operation rod 3. When the cap 50 is put on the supports 191 and 192 and the operation rod 3, the attachment is completed by pushing the cavity 51 in the direction of the operation rod 3 and pushing it in. FIG. 23A shows a state before the cap 50 is attached, and FIG. 23B shows a state after the cap 50 is attached. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the operating rod 3 is inadvertently operated.

  The fourth embodiment is configured as described above, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first to third embodiments. Therefore, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

Embodiment 5
The fifth embodiment relates to a form for detecting the rotation of the operation rod 3 around the rod axis. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of image rotation processing according to the fifth embodiment. A rotary encoder 52 and a slit disk 53 as a rotation detecting unit are further provided inside the support 191 of the input device 13 according to the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, an example in which the rotary encoder 52 is used as the rotation detection unit will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a potentiometer or the like may be used.

  On the inner wall of the support body 191 on one end side of the operation rod 3, a rotary encoder 52 for detecting rotation about the rod axis of the operation rod 3 is attached. A slit disk 53 having a plurality of slits formed on the outer periphery is attached to the operation rod 3 so as to face the rotary encoder 52. The slit disk 53 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the operation rod 3. In the following, clockwise rotation in a cross-sectional view of the operation rod 3 when the support 191 is viewed from the support 192 is referred to as right rotation, and counterclockwise rotation is referred to as left rotation. The rotary encoder 52 detects the rotation direction and the number of pulses by detecting a change in light from a light emitting diode (not shown) that passes through the slit of the slit disk 53.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the display device 1 including the input device 13 according to the fifth embodiment. The rotation direction and the number of pulses detected by the rotary encoder 52 are output to the calculation unit 10. The calculation unit 10 outputs operation information related to the rotation operation of whether the rotation of the operation rod 3 is rightward or leftward to the CPU 11 of the display device 1 via the output unit 16. In addition, the calculation unit 10 reads the rotation speed corresponding to the number of pulses output from the rotary encoder 52 from the memory 100 and similarly outputs it to the CPU 11 as operation information related to the rotation operation.

  The CPU 11 performs processing for rotating the image read from the image file 151 as shown in FIG. 25 based on the operation information relating to the rotation operation output from the input device 13. For example, when the operation stick 3 is rotated in the right direction, operation information in the right direction is output, and the CPU 11 performs processing for rotating the image in the right direction. On the other hand, when the operation stick 3 rotates leftward, leftward operation information is output, and the CPU 11 performs a process of rotating the image leftward. The CPU 11 rotates the image at a high speed or a low speed according to the output rotation speed. As a result, operation information associated with the rotation operation of the rod axis of the operation rod 3 can be generated, and more various operations can be realized.

  The fifth embodiment has the above-described configuration, and the other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first to fourth embodiments. Therefore, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

It is a typical perspective view which shows the external appearance of an electronic device. It is a top view which shows the upper surface of an electronic device. It is a side view which shows the right side of an electronic device. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a support according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the cross section by the VV line of FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a display device including the input device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a record layout of an operation table according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of cursor operation based on the operation information which concerns on an x-axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of cursor operation based on the operation information which concerns on az axis direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of operating a control stick to a y-axis direction. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a support according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the cross section by the VI-VI line of FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a display device including an input device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of an operation table according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of the image rotation process of a horizontal direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image of the rotation process of the image in a perpendicular direction. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a support according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a vertical cross-sectional shape of an operation rod according to Embodiment 3. It is an expanded sectional view which shows the detail of FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a display device including an input device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage contents of a capacitance file in a memory according to Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of operation information calculation processing in the z-axis direction according to the third embodiment. It is a model perspective view which shows the attachment image of the cap which covers a support body and an operating rod. It is a perspective view from the left side surface side of a cap. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of image rotation processing according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a display device including an input device according to a fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display apparatus 3 Operation bar 10 Calculation part 11 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Input device 14 Display part 15 Memory | storage part 16 Output part 19 Housing | casing 191,192 Support body 193,194 Through-hole 30 Capacitance detection part 31 1st electrode 32 2nd electrode 34,35 Insulator 36,37 Wiring 50 Cap 52 Rotary encoder 100 Memory 101 Operation table 102 Capacitance file d1 First longitudinal sensor d2 Second longitudinal sensor d10, d20 Stopper h1 First horizontal sensor h2 Second horizontal sensor h3 Third horizontal sensor h4 Fourth horizontal sensor S sensor v1 1st vertical sensor v2 2nd vertical sensor v3 3rd vertical sensor v4 4th vertical sensor

Claims (10)

A housing,
An operating rod having both ends inserted into the housing;
A plurality of detection units provided around the tip of the operation rod inside the housing and detecting movement of the operation rod;
A calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units;
An output unit for outputting operation information calculated by the calculation unit ,
The plurality of detection units are:
A horizontal direction detection unit for detecting horizontal movement of the operation rod;
A vertical direction detection unit that detects the vertical movement of the operation rod,
The horizontal direction detector
A first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod;
A third horizontal direction detection unit and a fourth horizontal direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially horizontal direction at the tip of the other end side of the operation rod,
The vertical direction detector is
A first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod;
A third vertical direction detection unit and a fourth vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at the tip of the other end of the operation rod;
Input device according to claim Rukoto equipped with. A housing,
An operating rod having both ends inserted into the housing;
A plurality of detection units provided around the tip of the operation rod inside the housing and detecting movement of the operation rod;
A calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units;
An output unit for outputting operation information calculated by the calculation unit;
With
The plurality of detection units are:
A horizontal direction detection unit for detecting horizontal movement of the operation rod;
A vertical direction detection unit for detecting the vertical movement of the operation rod;
A longitudinal direction detection unit that detects movement in the longitudinal direction of the operation rod,
The horizontal direction detector
A first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod;
A third horizontal direction detection unit and a fourth horizontal direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially horizontal direction at the tip of the other end side of the operation rod,
The vertical direction detector is
A first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod;
A third vertical direction detection unit and a fourth vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at the other end of the operation rod;
The longitudinal direction detector is
A first longitudinal direction detector provided in the longitudinal direction on one end side of the operation rod;
A second longitudinal direction detector provided in the longitudinal direction on the other end side of the operation rod;
An input device comprising: The operating rod is
A plurality of first electrodes provided continuously in the longitudinal direction, and a second electrode disposed opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and extending in the longitudinal direction,
The computing unit is
The output from the plurality of detection units, as well as, according to claim 1 based on a signal based on a change in capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode, characterized in that are configured to calculating operation information The input device described in 1. The computing unit is
When the movement of the operation bar is simultaneously detected by the first horizontal direction detection unit and the fourth horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally to the first horizontal direction detection unit, or the second horizontal direction detection unit and When the movement of the operating bar is detected simultaneously by a third horizontal direction detection unit arranged diagonally to the second horizontal direction detection unit, operation information related to a horizontal rotation operation is calculated. input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in. The computing unit is
When the movement of the operating rod is simultaneously detected by the first vertical direction detection unit and the fourth vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally to the first vertical direction detection unit, or the second vertical direction detection unit and When the movement of the operating rod is detected at the same time by a third vertical direction detection unit arranged diagonally of the second vertical direction detection unit, operation information related to a vertical rotation operation is calculated. input device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in. A housing,
An operating rod having both ends inserted into the housing;
A plurality of detection units provided around the tip of the operation rod inside the housing and detecting movement of the operation rod;
A calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units;
An output unit for outputting operation information calculated by the calculation unit;
With
The plurality of detection units are:
A horizontal direction detection unit for detecting horizontal movement of the operation rod;
A vertical direction detection unit that detects the vertical movement of the operation rod,
The horizontal direction detector
A first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod;
The vertical direction detector is
The operating rod input device further comprising a first vertical direction detector and the second vertical direction detector which substantially is provided in a vertical direction to a pair of one end side tip of the. A housing,
An operating rod having both ends inserted into the housing;
A plurality of detection units provided around the tip of the operation rod inside the housing and detecting movement of the operation rod;
A calculation unit that calculates operation information based on an operation based on outputs from the plurality of detection units;
An output unit for outputting operation information calculated by the calculation unit;
With
The plurality of detection units are:
A horizontal direction detection unit for detecting horizontal movement of the operation rod;
A vertical direction detection unit for detecting the vertical movement of the operation rod;
A longitudinal direction detection unit that detects movement in the longitudinal direction of the operation rod,
The horizontal direction detector
A first horizontal direction detection unit and a second horizontal direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially horizontal direction at one end of the operation rod;
The vertical direction detector is
A first vertical direction detection unit and a second vertical direction detection unit provided in pairs in a substantially vertical direction at one end of the operation rod;
The longitudinal direction detector is
A first longitudinal direction detector provided in the longitudinal direction on one end side of the operation rod;
Input device you anda second longitudinal detection unit is provided in the other longitudinal end side of the operation rod. Provided on one end side of the operation rod inside the housing, and provided with a rotation detection unit for detecting rotation about the rod axis of the operation rod,
The computing unit is
When detecting rotation of the operating rod by the rotation detection unit, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that are configured to output an operating information relating to the rotation operation Input device. Input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a cap covering said operating rod. An electronic apparatus, comprising an input device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images