JP5135972B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for using an input device capable of operating various AV devices, home appliances and personal computer products for a remote control device and an operation panel.

In the remote control that places the operation keys around the cursor (arrow) keys on the remote control, to avoid erroneous operation due to simultaneous key presses, the buttons close to the cursor keys should be placed at a sufficient distance so that fingers do not interfere during cursor operation. It was designed mainly to prevent erroneous operations, such as reducing the size of the keys and making the operation impossible unless the fingertips are touched.

  In addition, when a key is brought close to a narrow range as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a protrusion (rib) is provided between the proximity keys so that the finger pad does not touch the adjacent key by the rib during operation. By doing so, a method of preventing erroneous operation was taken.

JP 2004-185848 A

  In such a conventional remote control, it is difficult to operate because the distance between the related keys is separated from the key, or the keys are separated. There was a problem such as having to press.

  When keys are placed close to each other, a method such as preventing interference of fingers with the adjacent key may be adopted by providing a rib for preventing interference between the keys. The button prevents the finger from interfering with the adjacent key when the key is pressed, but part of the finger hits the interference prevention rib, so the force is not sufficiently transmitted and the finger must be brought directly above the key. There were problems such as being difficult to push.

  Therefore, the present invention does not cause an erroneous operation even if the keys are arranged close to each other, and it is possible to perform an efficient operation without looking at the hand only by moving a predetermined finger without changing each key. Providing equipment.

The first input device of the present invention includes an inner peripheral key group having a plurality of operation keys arranged in an annular shape,
An outer peripheral key group having a plurality of operation keys arranged in an annular shape on the outer circumference, and a determination key arranged at the center position of the inner circumferential key group, in the vicinity of the inner circumferential key group. The operation key of either the group or the outer peripheral key group has a gentle curved surface with a convex center, and the curved surface is formed with a protruding portion that can be discriminated with a finger. The outer peripheral key group is higher than the inner peripheral key group, and the stroke of the operation key is larger in the inner peripheral key group than in the outer peripheral key group.

  The second input device of the present invention includes an operation key group in which a plurality of operation keys are arranged in a ring shape, and a determination key at a center position of the operation key group in a ring shape. Each group has an operation function related to one of the closest key groups of the inner and outer peripheral keys.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an input device capable of performing an efficient operation without looking at a hand only by a predetermined finger movement without being erroneously operated even if the keys are arranged close to each other, and without changing each time. Can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a function key group of the remote controller according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the remote controller 5 has a determination key 1, an inner peripheral key 2, and an outer peripheral key 3. The shape of the inner peripheral key and the outer peripheral key is an annular shape, and may be, for example, an annular shape, a polygonal shape, a cross shape, a radial shape, or the like.

  The inner circumferential key 2 is formed of, for example, a disk body, and switches are formed at positions 2b and 2d in the horizontal direction and switches at positions 2a and 2c in the vertical direction. An outer peripheral key 3 is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner peripheral key 2, and the outer peripheral key 3 is configured with keys 3b and 3d in the horizontal direction and keys 3a and 3c in the vertical direction.

  Next, the key stroke and key shape will be described with reference to the A-A 'cross section of FIG. The stroke α for pressing the inner circumferential key 2 is configured in a relationship of α> β with respect to the stroke β for pressing the outer circumferential key 3. α is, for example, 1.2 mm, and β is, for example, 0.5 mm. Further, the outer peripheral key 3 is formed in a key shape having a smooth convex shape with the center portion being high and facing the periphery. The height γ of the central portion is configured to be higher than the outermost peripheral position of the inner peripheral key 2, and for example, γ = 1 mm.

  In this way, the pressing stroke of the inner peripheral key 2 is configured to be larger than the pressing stroke of the outer peripheral key 3, so that there is no problem in operability when the inner peripheral key 2 is pressed as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the outer peripheral key 3 is pressed, even when the finger touches the inner peripheral key 2, the outer peripheral key 3 having a smaller pressing stroke is first activated (the key is in the input state). ), The inner peripheral key 2 is not valid, and erroneous operation is prevented.

  Further, by projecting the central part of the convex key shape of the outer peripheral key 3 (for example, projecting the Δ shape), it becomes easy to determine the position when touched with a finger, and the key operability is improved.

  Next, an example in which the remote control of the present invention is used for a TV program viewing operation will be described. For example, a program selection function of an electronic program guide is assigned to the inner peripheral key 2, and a function for switching media such as terrestrial digital, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting, and the function for switching the electronic program guide are assigned to the outer peripheral key 3.

  Usually, in the electronic program guide, programs are arranged for each broadcasting station in the horizontal direction, and programs according to time are arranged in the vertical direction. For example, the broadcast station in the horizontal direction of the electronic program guide is selected and operated by the 2b and 2d switches of the inner circumference key 2, and the time in the vertical direction of the electronic program guide is selected by the 2a and 2c switches of the inner circumference key 2. Assign an operation function so that the selected program can be selected. Then, for example, the daily switching of the electronic program guide is selected with the keys 3a and 3c of the outer peripheral key 3, and the operation function is assigned so that the switching of the media can be selected with the keys 3a and 3c.

  By assigning operation functions to the inner peripheral key 2 and the outer peripheral key 3 in this way, a desired program can be selected by a selection operation by the user, and finally the program selected by the decision key 1 can be viewed by an easy operation. .

  In addition, you may assign the related operation function to the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side key group which are in the positional relationship of the vicinity. For example, the function of selecting the horizontal direction (broadcasting station) of the electronic program guide is assigned to the switch of the inner peripheral key 2b and the key 3b of the outer peripheral side, and the function of selecting the vertical direction (program time) of the electronic program guide May be assigned to the switch on the inner peripheral side key 2a and the key 3a on the outer peripheral side. The function for selecting the daily switching of the electronic program guide is assigned to the switch on the inner peripheral side key 2c and the key 3c on the outer peripheral side, and the function of the medium switching selection operation is assigned to the switch on the inner peripheral side key 2d and the outer peripheral side. It may be assigned to the key 3d. Thus, by assigning the function of the selection operation to the adjacent key group of the inner peripheral key and the outer peripheral key, it is possible to provide more efficient operability.

  Next, an example in which the remote controller of the present invention is used for a DVD video viewing operation will be described. First, related operation functions are assigned to the inner peripheral key 2 and the outer peripheral key 3. For example, Play and fast forward are assigned to the inner peripheral key 2 and the outer peripheral key 3 closest to the key, respectively. When Play is set to the switch 1b of the inner circumference key 2, the fast forward is assigned to the key 3b of the outer circumference key 3 that is closest.

  Rewinding is assigned to the 1d switch of the inner peripheral key 2, and fast rewinding is assigned to the key 3d of the outer peripheral key 3 closest to it.

  JUMP assigns JUMP with short interval frame feed to the switch 2c of the inner circumference key, and assigns JUMP with long interval frame advance to the key 3c, which is the outer circumference key 3 closest to it.

  STOP is assigned to the switch 2a of the inner peripheral key 2. In this case, since there is no related operation function, it is not necessary to set anything for the key 3a of the outer peripheral key 3 closest to the operation function.

Furthermore, JUMP for frame advance at a predetermined interval is assigned only to the switch 2c of the inner circumference key, JUMP for cueing to the head of the desired content is assigned to the key 3a of the outer circumference key, and the key at a position opposite to this key A JUMP that cues to the end of the desired content may be assigned to 3c. Thereby, a desired operation by the user can be easily selected.

It is a figure of the remote control key group of an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of the A-A 'part of the remote control key group of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Enter key 2 Inner key 3 Outer key 4 Remote control 5 Finger

Claims (2)

An inner peripheral key group having a plurality of operation keys arranged in an annular shape;
An outer peripheral key group having a plurality of operation keys arranged in an annular shape on the outer periphery, in the vicinity of the inner peripheral key group;
A determination key arranged at the center position of the inner circumferential key group;
With
The operation key of either the inner peripheral key group or the outer peripheral key group has a gently curved surface with a convex center, and the curved surface is formed with a protruding portion that can be identified with a finger.
The height of the operation key is higher in the outer peripheral key group than in the inner peripheral key group, and the stroke of the operation key is larger in the inner peripheral key group than in the outer peripheral key group.
An input device characterized by that. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a related operation function is assigned to the inner peripheral key group and the outer peripheral key group that are in a nearby positional relationship.

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