JP5705913B2 - Touch input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to a touch input device.

  In recent years, with the rapid development of electrical science and technology, input devices (for example, mice) have been used for click operations required to operate electronic devices instead of human fingers. As a result, the present touch system has evolved to control electronic devices (for example, computers).

  In the conventional touch input device, a user can generate a touch signal by touching the outer surface of the case of the input device, and the electronic device is operated by the touch signal. However, the key position of the conventional touch input device is limited to the shape and size of the input device, and the key position is fixed when the input device is manufactured by the manufacturer. The key position cannot be changed arbitrarily. Also, the number of keys of the conventional touch input device is limited by the size of the input device, which causes inconvenience for the user. Furthermore, when the user tries to change any key function of the input device, it is usually necessary to change the key function using software provided by the manufacturer, which brings various inconveniences to the user. Yes.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch input device having a high degree of freedom including a virtual key capable of setting different functions according to a user's preference for the current computer game market and document processing market. . As a result, the monotonous input method of the conventional touch input device and the inconvenience of the touch input device can be improved, and the touch input device can be operated more flexibly when used. It becomes possible to satisfy the requirements.

  The touch input device according to the present invention is applied to control of an electronic device and includes a main body, a display layer, a touch layer, a processing unit, and a pressing element. The main body has a receiving portion. The display layer is provided on the main body and is used to display at least one virtual key. The touch layer is provided on the display layer, and is used to detect whether the virtual key is touched by the user and to generate a detection signal based on the detected touch key. The processing unit is provided in the housing portion and is electrically connected to the touch layer and the display layer. The pressing element is provided below the touch layer and electrically connected to the processing unit, and is pressed together with the virtual key when any one of the virtual keys is touched by the user and a pressing force larger than a predetermined force is applied. Is done. The processing unit controls the operation of the electronic device according to the sensing signal generated by the touch layer and the pressing signal generated by the pressing element.

  As described above, in the touch input device according to the present invention, when the virtual key and the pressing element are provided, when any one of the virtual keys is touched by the user and a pressing force larger than a predetermined force is applied. When the pressing element is pressed together with the virtual key to generate a pressing signal, the processing unit controls the operation of the electronic device according to the sensing signal generated by the touch layer and the pressing signal generated by the pressing element. This solves the problem that the conventional touch input device lacks the function of detecting the mechanical key state with fingers, and improves the monotonous input method and inconvenience of the touch input device in the conventional touch input device. Is done.

It is a schematic diagram of the touch input device in one Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the touch input device of FIG. 1A. 1 is an exploded view of a touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the touch input apparatus in the other Example of this invention.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings so that the techniques, methods, and effects employed to achieve the object can be further understood. This makes it possible to more specifically understand the objects and features of the present invention. However, these descriptions and drawings are merely used as a reference for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

<Example of touch input device>
FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device of FIG. 1A. First, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the touch input device 10 is applied to control of an electronic device, and includes a main body 160, a touch layer 110, a display layer 130, a circuit board 170, a processing unit 171, an optical detection element 173, and the like. A pressing element 175 is provided. The main body 160 has an accommodating portion 180 for placing the processing unit 171 therein. In this embodiment, both the processing unit 171 and the pressing element 175 are provided on the circuit board 170. However, the present invention does not limit the installation method of the processing unit 171 and the pressing element 175. It is only necessary that the processing unit 171 can be installed in the housing portion 180 and the pressing element 175 can be installed below the touch layer 110.

  In the present embodiment, the display layer 130 has a curved arc surface shape, is provided on the main body 160, and is electrically connected to the processing unit 171. A plurality of virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 are displayed on the upper surface of the display layer 130, and each virtual key area 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 is displayed. May display numeric keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. For example, the virtual key area 111 may display the numeric key 1, the virtual key area 112 may display the numeric key 2, and the following applies. The numeric keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may be function keys. For example, the numeric key 1 may mean “Ctrl key + Alt key” on the keyboard. Furthermore, the numeric keys and function keys may be simultaneously present in the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117. For example, the numeric keys may be 1, 2, and 3, and the function keys may be 4, 5, 6, and 7. Therefore, in this embodiment, the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 all display numeric keys or function keys, or display numeric keys and function keys together. There are no restrictions on what it is.

  The touch layer 110 is provided on the display layer and is electrically connected to the processing unit 171. In this embodiment, the shape of the touch layer 110 is substantially a curved arcuate conductor film piece structure. However, in practice, the shape of the touch layer 110 can be designed based on demand in actual product applications. For example, when the shape of the touch input device 10 is a rectangle, the touch layer 110 is designed based on the appearance of the touch input device 10. In this embodiment, it is not limited whether the touch layer 110 is a capacitive touch layer or a resistive touch layer. A person skilled in the art can design this according to the actual use situation.

  Hereinafter, further description will be given based on FIGS. 2 and 1B. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit board 170 is provided with a processing unit 171, an optical detection element 173, and a pressing element 175. The pressing element 175 is electrically connected to the processing unit 171 and provided below the plurality of virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117. In the present embodiment, the bottom housing 190 is provided with a light guide element 192 and a window 191, and the light guide element 192 is located above the window 191. An optical detection element 173 corresponding to the light guide element 192 is provided on the circuit board 170. The optical detection element 173 and the light guide element 192 form a movement detection module for detecting a reflected light source signal on the plane of the touch input device 10.

  During operation, the user can arbitrarily move the touch input device 10. At this time, the optical detection element 173 generates a light source that reaches the desk top surface via the light guide element 192 and the window portion 191. Then, the light beam reflected from the desk surface is transmitted to the optical detection element 173 via the light guide element 192, and then the direction and distance of movement of the touch input device 10 are accurately calculated through signal analysis and processing. Thereby, it is possible to control the cursor position in the user interface of the electronic device in synchronization. The user touches any one of the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, but the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 are touched. On the other hand, when a pressing force larger than a predetermined pressure is not applied, the pressing element 175 does not operate. On the other hand, the user touches any one of the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, and any one of the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117. When a pressing force larger than a predetermined pressure is applied to one of the two, the pressing element 175 is pressed together with the virtual key to generate a pressing signal, and at the same time, the user presses the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, A sound effect is generated so that it can be determined whether any one of 116 and 117 is surely touched and pressed. As described above, the processing unit 171 performs a command or browsing operation by controlling the user interface of the electronic device according to the sensing signal generated by the touch layer 110 and the pressing signal generated by the pressing element 175.

  Furthermore, the processing unit 171 in the present embodiment applies a pressing force larger than a predetermined pressure by the user touching any one of the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, and 117. Thus, when the pressing element 175 is pressed together with the virtual key to generate a pressing signal, the operation of the electronic device is controlled by the sensing signal generated by the touch layer 110 and the pressing signal generated by the pressing element 175. However, the present invention does not provide a restriction that the operation of the electronic device cannot be controlled unless the processing unit 171 reliably receives the sensing signal and the pressing signal. For example, the processing unit 171 may control the operation of the electronic device according to the sensing signal generated by the touch layer 110, and may control the operation of the electronic device according to the pressing signal generated by the pressing element 175. May be. A person skilled in the art can design this according to the actual use situation.

  In addition, the present invention does not limit whether the touch input device 10 controls an electronic device using a wired transmission method or an electronic device using a wireless transmission method. A person skilled in the art can design this according to the actual use situation.

<Another Example of Touch Input Device>
Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the pressing element 175 in the circuit board 170 in FIG. 2, the circuit board 170 in FIG. 3 has a plurality of pressing elements 175 ′, and each pressing element 175 ′ has one virtual key region 111, 112, 113, 114. 115, 116, 117. Therefore, when the user touches any one of the virtual key areas 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 and applies a pressing force larger than a predetermined pressure, the corresponding pressing element 175 ′ is The sound is generated while being pressed together with the virtual key. For example, when the user touches and securely presses the virtual key area 111, the corresponding pressing element 175 ′ below the virtual key area 111 is also pressed, and the user reliably touches the virtual key area 111 to make sure. A sound effect is generated so that it can be determined whether or not it has been pressed. As described above, the processing unit 171 performs a command or browsing operation by controlling the user interface of the electronic device according to the sensing signal generated by the touch layer 110 and the pressing signal generated by the pressing element 175.

<Another Example of Touch Input Device>
Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the touch input device 10 of FIG. 1 and the touch input device 20 of FIG. 3, the touch layer 110 ′ and the display layer 130 ′ are provided on the top surface of the touch input device 30. The display layer 130 ′ extends to the side wall of the touch input device 30 main body (the side wall is located on the side surface on the main body). Therefore, the touch input device 30 has a plurality of virtual key regions on the top surface, and a plurality of virtual key regions on the side wall of the touch input device 30 in addition to the virtual key regions 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117. Regions 118, 119, and 120 may be provided. In this embodiment, a plurality of virtual key areas 118, 119, 120 are provided on the side wall of the touch input device 30. However, the present invention does not limit the number of virtual key areas provided on the side wall, and can be designed based on demand in actual product applications. Accordingly, the user can set different functions for the plurality of virtual keys 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the top surface of the touch input device 30 according to personal preference, Settings can also be made for the virtual keys 8, 9, and 10 on the side wall of the input device 30, whereby instructions or browsing operations can be performed on the user interface of the electronic device.

<Effects obtained by Examples>
As described above, the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention has virtual keys that can set different functions based on the user's preference. When the user touches and presses any one of the virtual keys, the pressing element is pressed together with the virtual key, and it is possible to reliably know whether the user has touched and pressed the virtual key firmly. In addition, sound effects are generated. Thereby, the user can still maintain the recognition and convenience of the conventional input device when using the touch input device.

  In the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of virtual keys can be provided not only on the top surface of the main body of the touch input device but also on the side wall. Therefore, it is possible to provide a touch input device with a high degree of freedom for computer game players and users who frequently use document processing functions. Therefore, the touch input device can be operated more flexibly when used, and different user requirements can be satisfied.

  Furthermore, since the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention can display a plurality of keys and key functions on the display layer, it is not necessary for the user to memorize all the key functions, and the user can perform touch input. More convenient in using the device.

10, 20, 30 Touch input device 110, 110 ′ Touch layer 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120 Virtual key area 130, 130 ′ Display layer 160 Main body 170 Circuit board 171 Processing unit 173 Optical detection element 175, 175 'Press element 190 Bottom housing 191 Light guide element 192 Window

Claims (9)

A touch input device applied to control an electronic device,
A main body having a receiving portion;
A display layer provided on the main body for displaying at least one virtual key;
A touch layer provided on the display layer for sensing whether the virtual key is touched by a user and generating a sensing signal based on the touch layer;
A processing unit provided in the housing and electrically connected to the touch layer and the display layer;
Provided below the touch layer and electrically connected to the processing unit, and pressed with the virtual key when any one of the virtual keys is touched by a user and a pressing force greater than a predetermined force is applied And a pressing element that generates a pressing signal,
The touch layer and the display layer both extend to the side wall of the main body, and a plurality of virtual keys are provided on the side wall of the main body.
The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit controls the operation of the electronic device according to the sensing signal generated by the touch layer and the pressing signal generated by the pressing element.   The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom housing includes a movement detection module for detecting a reflected light source signal on a plane of the touch input device.   The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the display layer and the touch layer have a curved arc surface shape.   The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual key is a function key or a numeric key.   The display layer according to claim 1, wherein the display layer displays a plurality of the virtual keys, and when the user touches any one of the virtual keys, the pressing element is pressed together with the virtual keys. Touch input device.   The display layer displays a plurality of the virtual keys, each pressing element corresponds to each virtual key, and when the user touches any one of the virtual keys, the corresponding pressing element together with the virtual key The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the touch input device is pressed.   The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is controlled by a wired transmission method or a wireless transmission method.   The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the touch input device is a mouse.   The touch input device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing element generates a sound effect when pressed.

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