WO2009139297A1 - Electrostatic capacitance-type pointing device - Google Patents

Electrostatic capacitance-type pointing device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009139297A1
WO2009139297A1 PCT/JP2009/058388 JP2009058388W WO2009139297A1 WO 2009139297 A1 WO2009139297 A1 WO 2009139297A1 JP 2009058388 W JP2009058388 W JP 2009058388W WO 2009139297 A1 WO2009139297 A1 WO 2009139297A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pointing device
insulator
sensor substrate
capacitive pointing
switch
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2009/058388
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
毅 瀧口
直樹 岩尾
誠 團野
忠直 松本
Original Assignee
日本航空電子工業株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 日本航空電子工業株式会社 filed Critical 日本航空電子工業株式会社
Publication of WO2009139297A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009139297A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0338—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03547—Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G06F3/0446—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
    • H04M1/233—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/048—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/04809—Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/008—Actuators other then push button
    • H01H2221/012—Joy stick type
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
    • H01H2239/006—Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2017/9602—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a capacitive pointing device suitable for use in a small portable device or the like.
  • various pointing devices are used, and examples of those that are mounted on small portable devices include joysticks and trackballs.
  • the joystick tilts the operating lever, and the trackball rotates the ball.
  • a touch pad is used for a pointing device mounted on a small portable device, it is possible to reduce the size and thickness, but the touch pad has a flat operation surface, so the following (1) to (3) There is a problem like this.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitance type pointing device that is easy to operate even if it is small and has excellent operability.
  • a capacitive pointing device includes a sensor substrate in which a column electrode for detecting an x coordinate and a row electrode for detecting a y coordinate are arrayed independently of each other, and the row electrode on the sensor substrate. And an insulator that is arranged so as to cover the region where the column electrodes are arranged and has an upper surface as an operation surface, and an operation reference that can be recognized by a tactile sensation provided on the operation surface.
  • the operation reference is positioned at the center of the area.
  • the operation reference recognizable by tactile sense is provided at the center of the region where the row and column electrodes are arranged, the operation can be performed with reference to the operation reference, and the operation is thus small. Even if it exists, the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device excellent in operativity can be obtained.
  • FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1B is a front view of FIG. 1A.
  • 2A is a plan view showing an operation example of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. FIG. 2B is a front view of FIG. 2A.
  • FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an operation state of a conventional capacitive pointing device.
  • FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining an operation state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the capacitive pointing device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the capacitive pointing device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the capacitive pointing device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 4D is a diagram showing an operation example of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 5A is a plan view of the sensor substrate in FIG. 1A.
  • FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the number of electrodes is different.
  • FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the sensor substrate and the electrode formation region (sensor region) is different.
  • FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the sensor substrate and the electrode formation region (sensor region) is different.
  • FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the shapes of the components of the electrode in FIG. 1A.
  • FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shapes of the constituent elements of the electrode are different.
  • FIG. 7C is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shapes of the constituent elements of the electrode are different.
  • FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the shape of the operation reference in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different.
  • FIG. 8C is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different.
  • FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the shape of the operation reference in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different.
  • FIG. 8C is a diagram
  • FIG. 8D is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different.
  • FIG. 8E is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different.
  • FIG. 8F is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different.
  • FIG. 9A is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a capacitive pointing device provided with a central switch.
  • FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 9A.
  • FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a second embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having a central switch.
  • FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 10A.
  • FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the capacitive pointing device having a central switch.
  • 11B is a cross-sectional view of the operation state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 11A.
  • FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having a central switch.
  • FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 12A.
  • FIG. 13A is a plan view showing an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having an illumination function.
  • FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13A.
  • FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having an illumination function.
  • FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having central and peripheral switches.
  • 14B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14A.
  • FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view of the operation state of the central switch of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
  • FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the peripheral switches of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
  • FIG. 14E is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having a central and peripheral switch.
  • FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having central and peripheral switches.
  • 14B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14A.
  • FIG. 14C is a
  • FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having central and peripheral switches.
  • FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 15A.
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an operation state showing an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device provided with a peripheral switch.
  • FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a mounting example of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a mounting example of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 17C is a diagram showing a mounting example of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a mounting example of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a mounting example of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 17C
  • FIG. 18A is a diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional 5-way switch mounted on a mobile phone.
  • FIG. 18B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the capacitive pointing device equipped with the 5WAY switch according to the present invention mounted on a mobile phone.
  • FIG. 18C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the capacitive pointing device equipped with a 5WAY switch according to the present invention mounted on a mobile phone.
  • FIG. 1A and 1B show a configuration of an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
  • a column electrode X (X 1 to X 3 ) for detecting the x coordinate of the operated position and a row electrode Y (Y 1 to Y 3 ) for detecting the y coordinate are arranged on the sensor substrate 11 in an orthogonal arrangement. In this example, 3 rows ⁇ 3 columns of electrodes are formed. The row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are independent of each other.
  • An insulator 13 is disposed on the sensor substrate 11 so as to cover a region (sensor region) 12 in which the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are arranged and formed.
  • the surface on the side opposite to the sensor substrate 11 is the operation surface 14.
  • An operation reference 15 is provided on the operation surface 14, and in this example, the operation reference 15 has a hemispherical protrusion and is integrally formed with the insulator 13.
  • the operation standard 15 may be a separate body from the insulator 13 and may be affixed on the insulator 13.
  • the size of the region 12 where the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are formed is larger than the size of the operation reference 15 as shown in FIG. 1A. It is provided so that it may be located in the center.
  • reference numeral 16 denotes a lead-out portion (cable portion) of the sensor substrate 11, and wiring patterns 17 drawn from the respective row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the respective column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are provided in the lead-out portion 16.
  • the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are connected via a wiring pattern 17 to a control unit that is not shown in FIG. 1A but includes a capacitance detection unit and a data processing unit. Has been.
  • the sensor substrate 11 is composed of PWB, FPC, membrane printed wiring board, etc., and the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are formed of copper foil or the like when the sensor substrate 11 is PWB or FPC.
  • a membrane printed wiring board it is formed of a transparent resistor such as silver ink or ITO.
  • the insulator 13 corresponds to the case where the capacitive pointing device 10 is arranged in a case such as a small portable device, and the constituent material is a case such as a resin such as polycarbonate, ABS, acrylic, or glass. It becomes the specification according to the specification.
  • the sensor substrate 11 can be fixed to the insulator 13 by sticking the sensor substrate 11 to the insulator 13 using, for example, a double-sided tape (not shown). Further, for example, the structure can be fixed so as to be pressed against the insulator 13 from the back surface of the sensor substrate 11 by a structure (not shown).
  • 2A, 2B, 3B, and 4A to 4D show examples of operations on the capacitive pointing device 10 having the above-described configuration, and 21 indicates a finger.
  • the presence of the projection-like operation reference 15 makes it possible to recognize by touch the position where the finger 21 is touching, and has the following advantages. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, it is possible to perform an operation in accordance with the operation standard 15, and it is easy to recognize the operation position and the operation direction, and it is difficult to perform an erroneous operation. Note that the region 12 where the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are arranged is larger than the operation reference 15, so that when the operation is performed along the operation reference 15, the region 12 is positioned outside the operation reference 15.
  • the operating position can be detected by the electrode to be operated.
  • FIG. 3B when the operation is repeatedly stroked with the finger 21, the operation feel is transmitted to the finger 21 according to the operation standard 15, so the operation is corrected so that the same place is not touched only by the feel of the finger 21. Is possible.
  • FIG. 3A shows the case of the conventional example in which there is no operation reference 15 for comparison and the operation surface 14 is a mere flat surface. As shown, it is easy to happen that the same location a is always touched, and it is difficult to operate only with the touch of the finger 21.
  • the operation reference 15 located at the center of the operation area (area 12) makes it easy to recognize the center of the operation area, the finger 21 is less likely to be detached from the operation area during operation even if the size is reduced, and the operation direction is also It becomes easy to recognize.
  • FIG. 5B shows an example in which electrodes of 4 rows ⁇ 4 columns (Y 1 to Y 4 , X 1 to X 4 ) are formed in the rectangular region 12 as an example, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are circular.
  • the shape of the element e constituting each of the row electrode Y and the column electrode X that are orthogonally arranged in combination with each other is a square whose side is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the row / column direction in the above-described example.
  • the shape of e is not limited to this.
  • the shape shown in FIG. 7A may be replaced with a circle as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C or a square with sides extending in the row / column direction. .
  • FIGS. 8A to 8F show examples of various shapes of the operation reference 15.
  • rectangular protrusions as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C may be used. it can.
  • the operation reference 15 is not limited to the protrusion, but may be a recess as shown in FIG. 8D, and further a ring-shaped rib as shown in FIG. 8E or a ring-shaped groove as shown in FIG. 8F. You can also.
  • the thickness of the insulator 13 in the inner part surrounded by the rib or groove is set to the thickness of the insulator 13 in the outer part of the operation standard 15.
  • the thickness can be the same. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity due to the thickness of the insulator 13 in a portion where the operation standard 15 exists, that is, it is possible to reduce the influence of the operation standard 15 on the sensitivity.
  • the operation standard 15 is a rib or a groove, for example, when the operation standard 15 and the insulator 13 are integrally formed by resin molding, the occurrence of sink marks and distortion due to uneven thickness can be reduced.
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B Next, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B will be described.
  • FIG. 9A and 9B show an example in which a switch (push switch) that can be operated by depressing the operation reference 15 is arranged below the sensor substrate 11.
  • the switch 31 is a metal dome. It is a switch.
  • 32 indicates a metal dome that is click-reversed
  • 33 indicates a substrate on which an electrode (not shown) that is conducted by the metal dome 32 is formed.
  • the capacitive pointing device provided with the switch 31 is attached to a housing 41 of a small portable device or the like.
  • the casing 41 includes a resin molded body 42 and a film 43 disposed thereon.
  • the film 43 forms the insulator 13 disposed on the sensor substrate 11 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. It is said.
  • the sensor substrate 11 is located in an opening 44 provided in the resin molded body 42, and the upper surface of the film 43 on the sensor substrate 11 serves as the operation surface 14.
  • An operation reference 15 is provided on the operation surface 14.
  • a pusher 34 that presses the metal dome 32 is disposed on the lower surface of the sensor substrate 11.
  • a confirmation function by the switch 31 can be added. Since the operation reference 15 to be pressed can be recognized by tactile sense, it is easy to perform the pressing operation at that point.
  • FIGS. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 11A, and FIG. 12A show another configuration example of the capacitance-type pointing device having such a switch 31 that is pressed
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B show sensor substrates.
  • 11 shows an example in which the insulator 13 on the substrate 11 is not constituted by the casing of the device as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B but is separated from the casing.
  • the insulator 13 is located in the opening 46 of the casing 45 of the device, and as shown in FIG. 10B, the insulator 13 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the insulator 13 to prevent the insulator 13 from coming off. Step portions 46a and 13a are respectively formed.
  • the upper surface of the insulator 13 is an operation surface 14, and an operation reference 15 is formed on the operation surface 14.
  • FIG. 11A shows an example in which only the insulator in the portion where the operation standard 15 exists is separated from the housing, that is, the insulator 13 constituting the operation standard 15 in the opening 46 formed in the housing 45. 'Is located.
  • the sensor substrate 11 is attached to the lower surface of the insulator 13 '.
  • the operation surface 14 around the operation reference 15 is constituted by the upper surface of the housing 45.
  • FIG. 12A shows a configuration in which the casing 45 and the insulator 13 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are separated from each other.
  • the operation surface 14 around the operation reference 15 is made thin, and is configured by the upper surface of the housing 45 as in FIG. 11A.
  • FIG. 11A only the central portion of the sensor substrate 11 is fixed to the insulator 13 ′, and the portions other than the central portion are free as shown in FIG. 11B. Therefore, the sensor substrate 11 is required to have a required rigidity. In the configuration shown in FIG. 12A, such rigidity is not necessary.
  • a metal dome switch is arranged as the switch 31.
  • the switch 31 is not limited to this and is pressed.
  • various switches such as a tact switch using a rubber dome instead of a metal dome, a membrane switch, and a pressure-sensitive switch can be used.
  • FIGS. 13A and 13B Next, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B will be described.
  • the operation reference 15 is separated from the surrounding insulator 13, and the operation reference 15 is configured in the through hole 18 formed in the insulator 13.
  • the insulator 13 ' is positioned.
  • the insulator 13 ' is made of a translucent material, while the insulator 13 is made of a non-light transmissive material so that the operation reference 15 can be illuminated.
  • 51 indicates a light source
  • 52 indicates a substrate on which the light source 51 is mounted.
  • the light emitted from the light source 51 enters the insulator 13 ′ through the hole 19 provided in the sensor substrate 11, thereby illuminating the operation reference 15. If the sensor substrate 11 has the required translucency, the hole 19 can be omitted.
  • the operation standard 15 (operations around the operation standard 15 is reversed).
  • the surface 14) can also be illuminated.
  • the insulators 13 and 13 ' can be integrally formed by two-color molding, for example.
  • the insulator 13 is made of a transparent material, the surface on which the sensor substrate 11 is attached is printed (not shown), and the operation reference 15 is formed on the surface opposite to the sensor substrate 11. This is where the body 13 'is located.
  • the operation reference 15 can be illuminated by not printing on the insulator 13 in the portion where the insulator 13 ′ is located, that is, without printing.
  • FIGS. 10A and 10B show a configuration including a switch (central switch) 31 that can be operated by pressing the operation standard 15 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
  • 2 shows an example in which peripheral switches that can be operated by pressing down the operation surface 14 are arranged on the lower side of the sensor substrate 11.
  • the peripheral switch 35 is a metal dome switch similar to the central switch 31, and is centered on the operation reference 15 as shown in FIG. 14A, in other words, 4 at 90 ° intervals on the circumference centering on the central switch 31. Are arranged.
  • Each metal dome 32 is pressed by a pusher 34 disposed on the lower surface of the sensor substrate 11 and click-inverted to conduct an electrode (not shown) formed on the substrate 33.
  • the insulator 13 on the sensor substrate 11 is separated from the casing 45, and the insulator 13 ′ constituting the operation reference 15 is separated from the surrounding insulator 13.
  • the insulators 13 and 13 ′ are supported by the housing 45 via an elastic sheet 47.
  • the elastic sheet 47 is placed on the lower surface of the housing 45 and the insulators 13 and 13 ′. It is pasted. With this configuration, the insulators 13 and 13 'can be independently displaced.
  • the sensor substrate 11 is disposed on the lower surface of the elastic sheet 47.
  • the central switch 31 is operated as shown in FIG. 14C by depressing the operation reference 15, and the peripheral switch 35 depresses the operation surface 14 of the insulator 13 around the operation reference 15, and the operation surface 14 (insulator 13) is operated by tilting as shown in FIG. 14D.
  • the casing 41 is composed of a resin molded body 42 and a film 43 disposed thereon, and the operation surface 14 is configured as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.
  • the operation surface 14 is not tilted, and the peripheral switch 35 is operated by locally bending.
  • the four peripheral switches 35 function as 4-way switches.
  • the capacitive pointing device 10 ′ shown in FIGS. 14A to 14E has a so-called 5WAY switch.
  • a so-called 5WAY switch For example, instead of the 5WAY switch mounted on a cellular phone or the like, FIGS. If the capacitive pointing device shown in 14E is installed, it is not necessary to secure an occupied space for the touch pad as a pointer in addition to the 5WAY switch, and space saving is achieved in that respect. Can do.
  • the insulator 13 ′ constituting the operation reference 15 is not separated from the insulator 13 around the operation reference 15 as in the above-described example, and is integrated, that is, FIG. 1A and FIG. Similar to FIGS. 14A to 14E, a 5WAY switch is added to the configuration shown in FIG. 1B, and such a configuration can also be adopted.
  • 14A and 14B in which only the operation reference 15 is displaced independently of the surrounding insulator 13 when the center switch 31 is pressed down is superior in terms of operability (operation feeling). It can be said.
  • FIG. 16 shows an example in which the central switch 31 is not provided and only the peripheral switch 35 constituting the four-way switch is used, and such a configuration can be adopted depending on the application.
  • FIGS. 17A to 17C show an example in which the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention is mounted on a small portable device.
  • FIG. 17A shows a cellular phone 61 provided with a 5WAY switch as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
  • FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C show an example in which the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device 10 ′ provided is installed, and FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C show that the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device 10 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. An example is shown.
  • the operation surface 14 is comprised by the surface of the housing
  • FIGS. 18A to 18C show an example of operation in a mobile phone
  • FIG. 18A shows an example of operation in a mobile phone 61 equipped with a conventional 5WAY switch 66
  • FIGS. 18B and 18C show 5WAY according to the present invention.
  • An operation example of the mobile phone 61 on which the capacitive pointing device 10 ′ having a switch is mounted is shown.
  • reference numeral 67 denotes a display.
  • the cursor is moved up and down and left and right by the operation of the four-way key, but according to the capacitive pointing device 10 ′ according to the present invention.
  • the operation surface 14 can be touched to move the cursor in a desired direction, and the operation of the cursor can be performed as shown in FIG. 18C by stroking the operation surface 14. . Therefore, according to the electrostatic capacity type pointing device 10 ′ having such a 5WAY switch, it is possible to add a function such as a free cursor in addition to the function of the conventional 5WAY switch.

Abstract

An electrostatic capacitance-type pointing device having excellent operability while the size thereof is reduced.  The electrostatic capacitance-type pointing device comprises a sensor substrate (11) on which row electrodes (X1-X3) for detecting x coordinates and line electrodes (Y1-Y3) for detecting y coordinates are arranged independently of each other, an insulator (13) which is so disposed on the sensor substrate (11) as to cover the area (12) where the line electrodes (Y1-Y3) and the row electrodes (X1-X3) are arranged and the upper surface of which is formed in an operation surface (14), and an operation reference (15) recognizable by a touch sense formed on the operation surface (14).  The area (12) is larger in size than the operation reference (15), and the operation reference (15) is positioned at the center of the area (12).

Description

静電容量式ポインティングデバイスCapacitive pointing device
　この発明は小型携帯機器等に用いて好適な静電容量式ポインティングデバイスに関する。 The present invention relates to a capacitive pointing device suitable for use in a small portable device or the like.
　ディスプレイ画面上のカーソル操作を行うために、各種ポインティングデバイスが用いられており、それらの中で小型携帯機器に搭載されているものとして、例えばジョイスティックやトラックボール等があげられる。 In order to perform cursor operations on the display screen, various pointing devices are used, and examples of those that are mounted on small portable devices include joysticks and trackballs.
　ジョイスティックは操作レバーを傾動させるものであり、またトラックボールはボールを回転させるものであり、これらのポインティングデバイスは操作部を直接動かすことで、直感的な操作が行えることを特徴としている。しかしながら、操作部を動かす都合上、その分のスペースが必要となり、薄型化が図りづらいという欠点がある。 The joystick tilts the operating lever, and the trackball rotates the ball. These pointing devices are characterized in that they can be operated intuitively by moving the operating unit directly. However, there is a drawback in that it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the operation unit because of the space required for moving the operation unit.
　これに対し、表面を指で摺動操作する（撫でる）ことによりカーソル操作を行うタッチパッドは操作部を直接動かす必要がないため、薄型化が可能であり、携帯電話機に小型のタッチパッドを搭載した例が特許文献１に示されている。 On the other hand, the touchpad that operates the cursor by sliding the surface with a finger (browsing) does not need to move the operation part directly, so it can be thinned, and a small touchpad is mounted on the mobile phone. An example of this is shown in Patent Document 1.
特開２００１－２３４７３号公報JP 2001-23473 A
　小型携帯機器に搭載するポインティングデバイスにタッチパッドを用いれば、小型・薄型化を図ることが可能となるものの、タッチパッドの操作面は平面であるため、以下の（１）～（３）に示すような問題がある。 If a touch pad is used for a pointing device mounted on a small portable device, it is possible to reduce the size and thickness, but the touch pad has a flat operation surface, so the following (1) to (3) There is a problem like this.
　（１）指の感触だけでは操作部のどこを触っているのかわかりにくいため、操作部の位置を把握しづらく、中心と端の区別がつきにくい。特に、タッチパッドを小型にした場合、ブラインドタッチ時に意図せず、操作部の端を操作してしまうことがあり、操作中にすぐに操作部から指が外れる恐れがある。 (1) Since it is difficult to know where on the operation unit is touched only by the touch of the finger, it is difficult to grasp the position of the operation unit, and it is difficult to distinguish between the center and the end. In particular, when the touch pad is downsized, the end of the operation unit may be operated unintentionally during a blind touch, and the finger may come off the operation unit immediately during the operation.
　（２）指の感触だけではどの方向に操作しているのかわかりづらいため、指をまっすぐ横に動かしているつもりでも、曲がったり、斜めに動かしていたりする。 (2) Since it is difficult to understand in which direction the finger is being operated only by the touch of the finger, it may bend or move diagonally even if it is intended to move the finger straight to the side.
　（３）繰り返し撫でてカーソル移動やリストのスクロール等をする場合、特に親指で上方向に操作する際、上に操作しているつもりでも常に同じ場所を触ってしまい、指の感触だけでは操作しづらい。 (3) When repeatedly stroking the cursor, scrolling the list, etc., especially when operating with the thumb upwards, the user always touches the same place even if he intends to operate upwards. It ’s hard.
　この発明の目的は、小型であっても操作しやすい操作性に優れた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスを提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitance type pointing device that is easy to operate even if it is small and has excellent operability.
　この発明によれば、静電容量式ポインティングデバイスは、ｘ座標を検出する列電極とｙ座標を検出する行電極とが互いに独立して配列形成されたセンサ基板と、そのセンサ基板上に行電極及び列電極が配列形成されている領域を覆うように配置され、上面が操作面とされる絶縁体と、操作面に設けられた触覚により認識可能な操作基準とを備え、前記領域は操作基準より大とされ、前記領域の中心に操作基準が位置される。 According to the present invention, a capacitive pointing device includes a sensor substrate in which a column electrode for detecting an x coordinate and a row electrode for detecting a y coordinate are arrayed independently of each other, and the row electrode on the sensor substrate. And an insulator that is arranged so as to cover the region where the column electrodes are arranged and has an upper surface as an operation surface, and an operation reference that can be recognized by a tactile sensation provided on the operation surface. The operation reference is positioned at the center of the area.
　この発明によれば、触覚により認識可能な操作基準が行及び列電極が配列形成されている領域の中心に設けられているため、この操作基準を基準として操作を行うことができ、よって小型であっても操作性の優れた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスを得ることができる。 According to the present invention, since the operation reference recognizable by tactile sense is provided at the center of the region where the row and column electrodes are arranged, the operation can be performed with reference to the operation reference, and the operation is thus small. Even if it exists, the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device excellent in operativity can be obtained.
図１Ａはこの発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの一実施例を示す平面図である。図１Ｂは図１Ａの正面図である。FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 1B is a front view of FIG. 1A. 図２Ａは図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作例を示す平面図である。図２Ｂは図２Ａの正面図である。2A is a plan view showing an operation example of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. FIG. 2B is a front view of FIG. 2A. 図３Ａは従来の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態を説明するための図である。図３Ｂは図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態を説明するための図である。FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an operation state of a conventional capacitive pointing device. FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining an operation state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 図４Ａは図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作例を示す図である。図４Ｂは図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作例を示す図である。図４Ｃは図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作例を示す図である。図４Ｄは図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作例を示す図である。FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the capacitive pointing device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 4B is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the capacitive pointing device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the capacitive pointing device illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing an operation example of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 図５Ａは図１Ａにおけるセンサ基板の平面図である。図５Ｂは電極数の異なる例を説明するための図である。FIG. 5A is a plan view of the sensor substrate in FIG. 1A. FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the number of electrodes is different. 図６Ａはセンサ基板及び電極形成領域（センサ領域）の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。図６Ｂはセンサ基板及び電極形成領域（センサ領域）の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the sensor substrate and the electrode formation region (sensor region) is different. FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the sensor substrate and the electrode formation region (sensor region) is different. 図７Ａは図１Ａにおける電極の構成要素の形状を示す図である。図７Ｂは電極の構成要素の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。図７Ｃは電極の構成要素の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the shapes of the components of the electrode in FIG. 1A. FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shapes of the constituent elements of the electrode are different. FIG. 7C is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shapes of the constituent elements of the electrode are different. 図８Ａは図１Ａ、図１Ｂにおける操作基準の形状を説明するための図である。図８Ｂは操作基準の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。図８Ｃは操作基準の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。図８Ｄは操作基準の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。図８Ｅは操作基準の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。図８Ｆは操作基準の形状の異なる例を説明するための図である。FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the shape of the operation reference in FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different. FIG. 8C is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different. FIG. 8D is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different. FIG. 8E is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different. FIG. 8F is a diagram for explaining an example in which the shape of the operation reference is different. 図９Ａは中央スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第１の実施例を示す平面図である。図９Ｂは図９Ａに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態の断面図である。FIG. 9A is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a capacitive pointing device provided with a central switch. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 9A. 図１０Ａは中央スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第２の実施例を示す平面図である。図１０Ｂは図１０Ａに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態の断面図である。FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a second embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having a central switch. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 10A. 図１１Ａは中央スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第３の実施例を示す断面図である。図１１Ｂは図１１Ａに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態の断面図である。FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the capacitive pointing device having a central switch. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the operation state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 11A. 図１２Ａは中央スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第４の実施例を示す断面図である。図１２Ｂは図１２Ａに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態の断面図である。FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having a central switch. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 12A. 図１３Ａは照光機能を有する静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの一実施例を示す平面図である。図１３Ｂは図１３Ａの断面図である。図１３Ｃは照光機能を有する静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの他の実施例を示す断面図である。FIG. 13A is a plan view showing an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having an illumination function. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13A. FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having an illumination function. 図１４Ａは中央及び周辺スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第１の実施例を示す平面図である。図１４Ｂは図１４Ａの断面図である。図１４Ｃは図１４Ａ、図１４Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの中央スイッチの操作状態の断面図である。図１４Ｄは図１４Ａ、図１４Ｂに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの周辺スイッチの操作状態の断面図である。図１４Ｅは中央及び周辺スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第２の実施例を示す断面図である。FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having central and peripheral switches. 14B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view of the operation state of the central switch of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the peripheral switches of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. FIG. 14E is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having a central and peripheral switch. 図１５Ａは中央及び周辺スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの第３の実施例を示す断面図である。図１５Ｂは図１５Ａに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作状態の断面図である。FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of a capacitive pointing device having central and peripheral switches. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the operating state of the capacitive pointing device shown in FIG. 15A. 図１６は周辺スイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの実施例を示す操作状態の断面図である。FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an operation state showing an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device provided with a peripheral switch. 図１７Ａはこの発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの搭載例を示す図である。図１７Ｂはこの発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの搭載例を示す図である。図１７Ｃはこの発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの搭載例を示す図である。FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a mounting example of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a mounting example of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention. FIG. 17C is a diagram showing a mounting example of the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention. 図１８Ａは携帯電話機に搭載された従来の５ＷＡＹスイッチの操作を説明するための図である。図１８Ｂは携帯電話機に搭載されたこの発明による５ＷＡＹスイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作を説明するための図である。図１８Ｃは携帯電話機に搭載されたこの発明による５ＷＡＹスイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの操作を説明するための図である。FIG. 18A is a diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional 5-way switch mounted on a mobile phone. FIG. 18B is a diagram for explaining the operation of the capacitive pointing device equipped with the 5WAY switch according to the present invention mounted on a mobile phone. FIG. 18C is a diagram for explaining the operation of the capacitive pointing device equipped with a 5WAY switch according to the present invention mounted on a mobile phone.
　以下、この発明の実施例を説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
　図１Ａ、図１Ｂはこの発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの一実施例の構成を示したものである。 1A and 1B show a configuration of an embodiment of a capacitive pointing device according to the present invention.
　センサ基板１１上には操作された位置のｘ座標を検出する列電極Ｘ（Ｘ１～Ｘ３）と、ｙ座標を検出する行電極Ｙ（Ｙ１～Ｙ３）とが直交配置されて配列形成されており、この例では３行×３列の電極が形成されている。行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３と列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３とは互いに独立している。 A column electrode X (X 1 to X 3 ) for detecting the x coordinate of the operated position and a row electrode Y (Y 1 to Y 3 ) for detecting the y coordinate are arranged on the sensor substrate 11 in an orthogonal arrangement. In this example, 3 rows × 3 columns of electrodes are formed. The row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are independent of each other.
　センサ基板１１上には行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３及び列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３が配列形成されている領域（センサ領域）１２を覆うように絶縁体１３が配置され、この絶縁体１３の上面（センサ基板１１と反対側の面）が操作面１４とされる。操作面１４には操作基準１５が設けられており、この例では操作基準１５は半球状の突起をなすものとされて絶縁体１３に一体形成されている。なお、操作基準１５は絶縁体１３と別体とし、絶縁体１３上に貼り付けるようにしてもよい。 An insulator 13 is disposed on the sensor substrate 11 so as to cover a region (sensor region) 12 in which the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are arranged and formed. The surface on the side opposite to the sensor substrate 11 is the operation surface 14. An operation reference 15 is provided on the operation surface 14, and in this example, the operation reference 15 has a hemispherical protrusion and is integrally formed with the insulator 13. The operation standard 15 may be a separate body from the insulator 13 and may be affixed on the insulator 13.
　行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３及び列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３が形成されている領域１２の大きさは、図１Ａに示したように操作基準１５の大きさより大とされ、操作基準１５は領域１２の中心に位置するように設けられている。 The size of the region 12 where the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are formed is larger than the size of the operation reference 15 as shown in FIG. 1A. It is provided so that it may be located in the center.
　なお、図１Ａ中、１６はセンサ基板１１の導出部（ケーブル部）を示し、各行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３及び各列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３からそれぞれ引き出された配線パターン１７が導出部１６に導出されている。各行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３及び各列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３は配線パターン１７を介して、図１Ａでは図示を省略しているが、静電容量検出部及びデータ処理部を備える制御部に接続されている。 In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 16 denotes a lead-out portion (cable portion) of the sensor substrate 11, and wiring patterns 17 drawn from the respective row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the respective column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are provided in the lead-out portion 16. Has been derived. The row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are connected via a wiring pattern 17 to a control unit that is not shown in FIG. 1A but includes a capacitance detection unit and a data processing unit. Has been.
　センサ基板１１はＰＷＢやＦＰＣ、メンブレン印刷配線板等によって構成され、行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３及び列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３はセンサ基板１１がＰＷＢやＦＰＣの場合には銅箔等で形成され、メンブレン印刷配線板の場合には銀インクやＩＴＯなどの透明抵抗体等で形成される。 The sensor substrate 11 is composed of PWB, FPC, membrane printed wiring board, etc., and the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are formed of copper foil or the like when the sensor substrate 11 is PWB or FPC. In the case of a membrane printed wiring board, it is formed of a transparent resistor such as silver ink or ITO.
　絶縁体１３はこの静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０が小型携帯機器等の筐体に配置される場合はその筐体に相当し、構成材はポリカーボネートやＡＢＳ、アクリル等の樹脂やガラス等、筐体の仕様に応じた仕様となる。このような絶縁体１３に対するセンサ基板１１の固定は例えば両面テープ（図示せず）を用いてセンサ基板１１を絶縁体１３に貼り付けることによって行うことができる。また、例えば図示しない構造物によりセンサ基板１１の裏面から絶縁体１３に押し付けるようにして固定することもできる。 The insulator 13 corresponds to the case where the capacitive pointing device 10 is arranged in a case such as a small portable device, and the constituent material is a case such as a resin such as polycarbonate, ABS, acrylic, or glass. It becomes the specification according to the specification. The sensor substrate 11 can be fixed to the insulator 13 by sticking the sensor substrate 11 to the insulator 13 using, for example, a double-sided tape (not shown). Further, for example, the structure can be fixed so as to be pressed against the insulator 13 from the back surface of the sensor substrate 11 by a structure (not shown).
　図２Ａ、図２Ｂ、図３Ｂ、図４Ａ～図４Ｄは上記のような構成を有する静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０に対する操作例を示したものであり、２１は指を示す。突起状の操作基準１５の存在により、指２１がどの位置を触れているかが触覚により認識可能となり、以下に示すような利点を有するものとなる。
・図４Ａ～図４Ｄに示したように、操作基準１５に沿った操作を行うことが可能となり、操作位置や操作方向を認識しやすく、誤操作しにくい。なお、行電極Ｙ１～Ｙ３及び列電極Ｘ１～Ｘ３が配列形成されている領域１２は操作基準１５より大きいため、操作基準１５に沿って操作した場合、操作基準１５の外側に位置する電極によって、操作位置を検出することができる。
・図３Ｂに示したように、指２１で繰り返し撫でて操作する場合、操作基準１５により操作感触が指２１に伝わるので、指２１の感触だけで同じ場所を触らないように操作を修正することが可能となる。これに対し、図３Ａは比較として操作基準１５がなく、操作面１４が単なる平面である従来例の場合を示したものであり、指２１で繰り返し撫でて操作する際、従来例では図３Ａに示したように常に同じ場所ａを触ってしまうといったことが生じ易く、指２１の感触だけでは操作しづらいものとなっている。
・操作領域（領域１２）の中心に位置する操作基準１５により、操作領域の中心を認識しやすくなることから、小型化しても操作中に指２１が操作領域から外れにくくなり、また操作方向も認識しやすくなる。 2A, 2B, 3B, and 4A to 4D show examples of operations on the capacitive pointing device 10 having the above-described configuration, and 21 indicates a finger. The presence of the projection-like operation reference 15 makes it possible to recognize by touch the position where the finger 21 is touching, and has the following advantages.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, it is possible to perform an operation in accordance with the operation standard 15, and it is easy to recognize the operation position and the operation direction, and it is difficult to perform an erroneous operation. Note that the region 12 where the row electrodes Y 1 to Y 3 and the column electrodes X 1 to X 3 are arranged is larger than the operation reference 15, so that when the operation is performed along the operation reference 15, the region 12 is positioned outside the operation reference 15. The operating position can be detected by the electrode to be operated.
As shown in FIG. 3B, when the operation is repeatedly stroked with the finger 21, the operation feel is transmitted to the finger 21 according to the operation standard 15, so the operation is corrected so that the same place is not touched only by the feel of the finger 21. Is possible. On the other hand, FIG. 3A shows the case of the conventional example in which there is no operation reference 15 for comparison and the operation surface 14 is a mere flat surface. As shown, it is easy to happen that the same location a is always touched, and it is difficult to operate only with the touch of the finger 21.
Since the operation reference 15 located at the center of the operation area (area 12) makes it easy to recognize the center of the operation area, the finger 21 is less likely to be detached from the operation area during operation even if the size is reduced, and the operation direction is also It becomes easy to recognize.
　このように、この例によれば小型であっても操作性の優れた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスを得ることができる。 Thus, according to this example, it is possible to obtain a capacitive pointing device having excellent operability even if it is small.
　上述した例では方形をなすセンサ基板１１の方形の領域１２に３行×３列の電極（Ｙ１～Ｙ３、Ｘ１～Ｘ３）が形成されたものとなっているが、電極数、センサ基板１１の形状、領域１２の形状はこれに限るものではなく、適宜、選択される。図５Ｂは一例として４行×４列の電極（Ｙ１～Ｙ４、Ｘ１～Ｘ４）が方形の領域１２に形成された例を示したものであり、また図６Ａ、図６Ｂは円形をなすセンサ基板１１の円形の領域１２にそれぞれ３行×３列の電極（Ｙ１～Ｙ３、Ｘ１～Ｘ３）、４行×４列の電極（Ｙ１～Ｙ４、Ｘ１～Ｘ４）が形成された例を示したものである。 In the above-described example, 3 rows × 3 columns of electrodes (Y 1 to Y 3 , X 1 to X 3 ) are formed in the rectangular region 12 of the sensor substrate 11 having a square shape. The shape of the sensor substrate 11 and the shape of the region 12 are not limited to this, and are appropriately selected. FIG. 5B shows an example in which electrodes of 4 rows × 4 columns (Y 1 to Y 4 , X 1 to X 4 ) are formed in the rectangular region 12 as an example, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are circular. 3 rows × 3 columns of electrodes (Y 1 to Y 3 , X 1 to X 3 ) and 4 rows × 4 columns of electrodes (Y 1 to Y 4 , X 1 to An example in which X 4 ) is formed is shown.
　なお、互いに組み合わされて直交配置される行電極Ｙ及び列電極Ｘをそれぞれ構成する要素ｅの形状は上述した例では行・列方向に対して辺が４５°傾いた正方形としているが、この要素ｅの形状もこれに限定されるものではなく、例えば図７Ａに示した形状に替え、図７Ｂ、図７Ｃに示したような円形、行・列方向に辺が沿った正方形とすることもできる。 It should be noted that the shape of the element e constituting each of the row electrode Y and the column electrode X that are orthogonally arranged in combination with each other is a square whose side is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the row / column direction in the above-described example. The shape of e is not limited to this. For example, the shape shown in FIG. 7A may be replaced with a circle as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C or a square with sides extending in the row / column direction. .
　図８Ａ～図８Ｆは操作基準１５の各種形状例を示したものであり、図８Ａに示した半球状の突起に替え、図８Ｂ、図８Ｃに示したような方形状の突起とすることもできる。また、操作基準１５は突起に限らず、図８Ｄに示したような凹みとしてもよく、さらに図８Ｅに示したようなリング状をなすリブや図８Ｆに示したようなリング状の溝とすることもできる。 FIGS. 8A to 8F show examples of various shapes of the operation reference 15. Instead of the hemispherical protrusions shown in FIG. 8A, rectangular protrusions as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C may be used. it can. Further, the operation reference 15 is not limited to the protrusion, but may be a recess as shown in FIG. 8D, and further a ring-shaped rib as shown in FIG. 8E or a ring-shaped groove as shown in FIG. 8F. You can also.
　操作基準１５を図８Ｅ、図８Ｆに示したようなリブや溝とした場合、リブや溝で囲まれた内側の部分の絶縁体１３の厚さを操作基準１５の外側の部分の絶縁体１３の厚さと同じにすることができる。これにより、操作基準１５が存在する部分における絶縁体１３の厚さに起因する感度の低下を抑制することができ、つまり操作基準１５の感度への影響を小さくすることが可能となる。なお、操作基準１５をリブや溝とした場合には、例えば操作基準１５と絶縁体１３とを樹脂成形により一体形成する際、偏肉によるヒケや歪みの発生を少なくすることができる。　 When the operation standard 15 is a rib or groove as shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F, the thickness of the insulator 13 in the inner part surrounded by the rib or groove is set to the thickness of the insulator 13 in the outer part of the operation standard 15. The thickness can be the same. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity due to the thickness of the insulator 13 in a portion where the operation standard 15 exists, that is, it is possible to reduce the influence of the operation standard 15 on the sensitivity. When the operation standard 15 is a rib or a groove, for example, when the operation standard 15 and the insulator 13 are integrally formed by resin molding, the occurrence of sink marks and distortion due to uneven thickness can be reduced. *
　次に、図９Ａ、図９Ｂに示した実施例について説明する。 Next, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B will be described.
　図９Ａ、図９Ｂは操作基準１５を押下することで操作することができるスイッチ（プッシュスイッチ）をセンサ基板１１の下側に配置した例を示したものであり、この例ではスイッチ３１はメタルドームスイッチとされている。図９Ｂ中、３２はクリック反転するメタルドームを示し、３３はメタルドーム３２によって導通される電極（図示せず）が形成されている基板を示す。 9A and 9B show an example in which a switch (push switch) that can be operated by depressing the operation reference 15 is arranged below the sensor substrate 11. In this example, the switch 31 is a metal dome. It is a switch. In FIG. 9B, 32 indicates a metal dome that is click-reversed, and 33 indicates a substrate on which an electrode (not shown) that is conducted by the metal dome 32 is formed.
　このスイッチ３１を備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスはこの例では小型携帯機器等の筐体４１に取り付けられている。筐体４１はこの例では樹脂成形体４２と、その上に配置されたフィルム４３とよりなり、このフィルム４３が図１Ａ、図１Ｂにおいてセンサ基板１１上に配置されている絶縁体１３をなすものとされる。センサ基板１１は樹脂成形体４２に設けられた開口４４に位置し、このセンサ基板１１上のフィルム４３の上面が操作面１４とされる。操作面１４には操作基準１５が設けられている。なお、センサ基板１１の下面にはメタルドーム３２を押圧するプッシャ３４が配置されている。 In this example, the capacitive pointing device provided with the switch 31 is attached to a housing 41 of a small portable device or the like. In this example, the casing 41 includes a resin molded body 42 and a film 43 disposed thereon. The film 43 forms the insulator 13 disposed on the sensor substrate 11 in FIGS. 1A and 1B. It is said. The sensor substrate 11 is located in an opening 44 provided in the resin molded body 42, and the upper surface of the film 43 on the sensor substrate 11 serves as the operation surface 14. An operation reference 15 is provided on the operation surface 14. A pusher 34 that presses the metal dome 32 is disposed on the lower surface of the sensor substrate 11.
　この図９Ａ、図９Ｂに示したような構成によれば、ポインターとしての操作（カーソル操作）以外に、スイッチ３１による確定機能を付加することができる。押下操作する操作基準１５は触覚により認識できるため、その点で押下操作がしやすいものとなる。 9A and 9B, in addition to an operation as a pointer (cursor operation), a confirmation function by the switch 31 can be added. Since the operation reference 15 to be pressed can be recognized by tactile sense, it is easy to perform the pressing operation at that point.
　図１０Ａ、図１０Ｂ、図１１Ａ、図１２Ａはこのような押下操作されるスイッチ３１を備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイスの他の構成例を示したものであり、図１０Ａ、図１０Ｂはセンサ基板１１上の絶縁体１３が図９Ａ、図９Ｂのように機器の筐体によって構成されるのではなく、筐体と別体とされた例を示している。絶縁体１３は機器の筐体４５の開口４６に位置し、図１０Ｂに示したように開口４６の内周面と絶縁体１３の外周面には互いに係合して絶縁体１３を抜け止めする段部４６ａ、１３ａがそれぞれ形成されている。絶縁体１３の上面は操作面１４とされ、この操作面１４に操作基準１５が形成されている。 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 11A, and FIG. 12A show another configuration example of the capacitance-type pointing device having such a switch 31 that is pressed, and FIGS. 10A and 10B show sensor substrates. 11 shows an example in which the insulator 13 on the substrate 11 is not constituted by the casing of the device as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B but is separated from the casing. The insulator 13 is located in the opening 46 of the casing 45 of the device, and as shown in FIG. 10B, the insulator 13 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the insulator 13 to prevent the insulator 13 from coming off. Step portions 46a and 13a are respectively formed. The upper surface of the insulator 13 is an operation surface 14, and an operation reference 15 is formed on the operation surface 14.
　図１１Ａは操作基準１５が存在する部分の絶縁体のみを筐体と別体とした例を示したものであり、即ち筐体４５に形成された開口４６に操作基準１５を構成する絶縁体１３’が位置している。センサ基板１１は絶縁体１３’の下面に取り付けられている。この例では操作基準１５の回りの操作面１４は筐体４５の上面によって構成される。 FIG. 11A shows an example in which only the insulator in the portion where the operation standard 15 exists is separated from the housing, that is, the insulator 13 constituting the operation standard 15 in the opening 46 formed in the housing 45. 'Is located. The sensor substrate 11 is attached to the lower surface of the insulator 13 '. In this example, the operation surface 14 around the operation reference 15 is constituted by the upper surface of the housing 45.
　また、図１２Ａは図１０Ａ、図１０Ｂに示した筐体４５と絶縁体１３とが別体とされた構成に対し、操作基準１５の回りまで筐体４５を延長し、その分絶縁体１３を薄くし、操作基準１５の回りの操作面１４が図１１Ａと同様、筐体４５の上面によって構成されるようにしたものである。図１１Ａではセンサ基板１１はその中央部のみが絶縁体１３’に固定され、図１１Ｂに示すように中央部以外はフリーとなっているため、センサ基板１１には所要の剛性が要求されるが、この図１２Ａに示した構成ではそのような剛性は不要となる。 FIG. 12A shows a configuration in which the casing 45 and the insulator 13 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are separated from each other. The operation surface 14 around the operation reference 15 is made thin, and is configured by the upper surface of the housing 45 as in FIG. 11A. In FIG. 11A, only the central portion of the sensor substrate 11 is fixed to the insulator 13 ′, and the portions other than the central portion are free as shown in FIG. 11B. Therefore, the sensor substrate 11 is required to have a required rigidity. In the configuration shown in FIG. 12A, such rigidity is not necessary.
　なお、図９Ｂ、図１０Ｂ、図１１Ａ、図１２Ａに示した各実施例においては、いずれもスイッチ３１としてメタルドームスイッチを配置しているが、スイッチ３１はこれに限らず、押下操作されるものであればよく、例えばメタルドームに替えてラバードームを用いるタクトスイッチやメンブレンスイッチ、感圧スイッチ等、各種スイッチを用いることができる。 In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11A, and 12A, a metal dome switch is arranged as the switch 31. However, the switch 31 is not limited to this and is pressed. For example, various switches such as a tact switch using a rubber dome instead of a metal dome, a membrane switch, and a pressure-sensitive switch can be used.
　次に、図１３Ａ、図１３Ｂに示した実施例について説明する。 Next, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B will be described.
　この例では前述の図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した構成に対し、操作基準１５がその回りの絶縁体１３と別体とされ、絶縁体１３に形成した貫通孔１８内に、操作基準１５を構成する絶縁体１３’が位置しているものとなっている。絶縁体１３’はこの例では透光材によって構成され、一方、絶縁体１３は不透光材によって構成されており、これにより操作基準１５を照光することができるものとなっている。図１３Ｂ中、５１は光源を示し、５２は光源５１が実装されている基板を示す。 In this example, in contrast to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B described above, the operation reference 15 is separated from the surrounding insulator 13, and the operation reference 15 is configured in the through hole 18 formed in the insulator 13. The insulator 13 'is positioned. In this example, the insulator 13 'is made of a translucent material, while the insulator 13 is made of a non-light transmissive material so that the operation reference 15 can be illuminated. In FIG. 13B, 51 indicates a light source, and 52 indicates a substrate on which the light source 51 is mounted.
　光源５１から出射された光はセンサ基板１１に設けられた穴１９を介して絶縁体１３’に入射し、これにより操作基準１５が照光される。なお、センサ基板１１が所要の透光性を有する場合には穴１９を不要とすることができる。 The light emitted from the light source 51 enters the insulator 13 ′ through the hole 19 provided in the sensor substrate 11, thereby illuminating the operation reference 15. If the sensor substrate 11 has the required translucency, the hole 19 can be omitted.
　一方、上記の構成とは逆に、絶縁体１３を透光材とし、操作基準１５を構成する絶縁体１３’を不透光材とすれば、操作基準１５以外（操作基準１５の回りの操作面１４）を照光させることもできる。絶縁体１３と１３’は例えば２色成形により一体形成することもできる。 On the other hand, if the insulator 13 is a translucent material and the insulator 13 ′ constituting the operation standard 15 is a non-translucent material, the operation standard 15 (operations around the operation standard 15 is reversed). The surface 14) can also be illuminated. The insulators 13 and 13 'can be integrally formed by two-color molding, for example.
　図１３Ｃは絶縁体１３を透明材とし、そのセンサ基板１１が貼り付けられる側の面に印刷（図示せず）を施し、センサ基板１１と反対側の面に操作基準１５を構成する透明な絶縁体１３’が位置しているものである。この例では絶縁体１３’が位置する部分には絶縁体１３に対する印刷をせず、つまり印刷がない状態とすることで操作基準１５を照光することができる。 In FIG. 13C, the insulator 13 is made of a transparent material, the surface on which the sensor substrate 11 is attached is printed (not shown), and the operation reference 15 is formed on the surface opposite to the sensor substrate 11. This is where the body 13 'is located. In this example, the operation reference 15 can be illuminated by not printing on the insulator 13 in the portion where the insulator 13 ′ is located, that is, without printing.
　図１４Ａ、図１４Ｂは前述の図１０Ａ、図１０Ｂに示したような操作基準１５を押下することにより操作することができるスイッチ（中央スイッチ）３１を具備する構成に対し、さらに操作基準１５の回りの操作面１４を押下することで操作することができる周辺スイッチをセンサ基板１１の下側に配置した例を示したものである。 14A and 14B show a configuration including a switch (central switch) 31 that can be operated by pressing the operation standard 15 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. 2 shows an example in which peripheral switches that can be operated by pressing down the operation surface 14 are arranged on the lower side of the sensor substrate 11.
　周辺スイッチ３５はこの例では中央スイッチ３１と同様、メタルドームスイッチとされ、図１４Ａに示したように操作基準１５を中心として、言い換えれば中央スイッチ３１を中心として円周上に９０°間隔で４個配置されている。各メタルドーム３２はセンサ基板１１の下面に配置されたプッシャ３４によって押圧され、クリック反転して基板３３上に形成されている電極（図示せず）を導通させる。 In this example, the peripheral switch 35 is a metal dome switch similar to the central switch 31, and is centered on the operation reference 15 as shown in FIG. 14A, in other words, 4 at 90 ° intervals on the circumference centering on the central switch 31. Are arranged. Each metal dome 32 is pressed by a pusher 34 disposed on the lower surface of the sensor substrate 11 and click-inverted to conduct an electrode (not shown) formed on the substrate 33.
　センサ基板１１上の絶縁体１３は筐体４５と別体とされており、さらに操作基準１５を構成する部分の絶縁体１３’が回りの絶縁体１３と別体とされている。これら絶縁体１３及び１３’はこの例では弾性シート４７を介して筐体４５に支持されており、図１４Ｂに示したように筐体４５、絶縁体１３、１３’の下面に弾性シート４７が貼り付けられている。このような構成により、絶縁体１３及び１３’はそれぞれ独立して変位可能とされている。なお、センサ基板１１は弾性シート４７の下面に配置されている。 The insulator 13 on the sensor substrate 11 is separated from the casing 45, and the insulator 13 ′ constituting the operation reference 15 is separated from the surrounding insulator 13. In this example, the insulators 13 and 13 ′ are supported by the housing 45 via an elastic sheet 47. As shown in FIG. 14B, the elastic sheet 47 is placed on the lower surface of the housing 45 and the insulators 13 and 13 ′. It is pasted. With this configuration, the insulators 13 and 13 'can be independently displaced. The sensor substrate 11 is disposed on the lower surface of the elastic sheet 47.
　中央スイッチ３１は操作基準１５を押下することにより、図１４Ｃに示したように操作され、周辺スイッチ３５は操作基準１５の回りの絶縁体１３の操作面１４を押下し、操作面１４（絶縁体１３）を図１４Ｄに示したように傾動させることで操作される。なお、図１４Ｅに示したように筐体４１が樹脂成形体４２と、その上に配置されたフィルム４３とよりなるものとされて、操作面１４が前述の図９Ａ、図９Ｂに示した構成と同様、フィルム４３によって構成される場合は操作面１４は傾動せず、局所的にたわむことで周辺スイッチ３５が操作される。４個の周辺スイッチ３５は４方向スイッチとして機能する。 The central switch 31 is operated as shown in FIG. 14C by depressing the operation reference 15, and the peripheral switch 35 depresses the operation surface 14 of the insulator 13 around the operation reference 15, and the operation surface 14 (insulator 13) is operated by tilting as shown in FIG. 14D. As shown in FIG. 14E, the casing 41 is composed of a resin molded body 42 and a film 43 disposed thereon, and the operation surface 14 is configured as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Similarly to the above, in the case of being constituted by the film 43, the operation surface 14 is not tilted, and the peripheral switch 35 is operated by locally bending. The four peripheral switches 35 function as 4-way switches.
　この図１４Ａ～図１４Ｅに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０’はいわゆる５ＷＡＹスイッチを備えた構成となっており、例えば携帯電話機などに搭載されている５ＷＡＹスイッチに替えて、この図１４Ａ～図１４Ｅに示した静電容量式ポインティングデバイスを搭載すれば、５ＷＡＹスイッチ以外にポインターとしてのタッチパッドを配置したい場合に、そのための占有スペースを確保する必要がなくなり、その点で省スペース化を図ることができる。 The capacitive pointing device 10 ′ shown in FIGS. 14A to 14E has a so-called 5WAY switch. For example, instead of the 5WAY switch mounted on a cellular phone or the like, FIGS. If the capacitive pointing device shown in 14E is installed, it is not necessary to secure an occupied space for the touch pad as a pointer in addition to the 5WAY switch, and space saving is achieved in that respect. Can do.
　図１５Ａ、図１５Ｂは操作基準１５を構成する絶縁体１３’を上述した例のように操作基準１５の回りの絶縁体１３と別体とせず、一体としたものであり、つまり図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示した構成に図１４Ａ～図１４Ｅと同様、５ＷＡＹスイッチを付加したものであり、このような構成を採用することもできる。なお、中央スイッチ３１を押下操作する際、操作基準１５のみが回りの絶縁体１３と独立して変位する図１４Ａ、図１４Ｂの構成の方が、操作性（操作感触）の点で優れていると言える。 15A and 15B, the insulator 13 ′ constituting the operation reference 15 is not separated from the insulator 13 around the operation reference 15 as in the above-described example, and is integrated, that is, FIG. 1A and FIG. Similar to FIGS. 14A to 14E, a 5WAY switch is added to the configuration shown in FIG. 1B, and such a configuration can also be adopted. 14A and 14B in which only the operation reference 15 is displaced independently of the surrounding insulator 13 when the center switch 31 is pressed down is superior in terms of operability (operation feeling). It can be said.
　図１６は中央スイッチ３１がなく、４方向スイッチを構成する周辺スイッチ３５のみとした例を示したものであり、用途に応じてこのような構成を採用することもできる。 FIG. 16 shows an example in which the central switch 31 is not provided and only the peripheral switch 35 constituting the four-way switch is used, and such a configuration can be adopted depending on the application.
　図１７Ａ～図１７Ｃはこの発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイスを小型携帯機器に搭載した例を示したものであり、図１７Ａは携帯電話機６１に図１４Ａ、図１４Ｂに示したような５ＷＡＹスイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０’を搭載した例を示し、図１７Ｂ、図１７Ｃはそれぞれ携帯電話機６２、６３に図１Ａ、図１Ｂに示したような静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０を搭載した例を示す。図１７Ｂ、図１７Ｃではそれぞれ筐体６４、６５の表面によって操作面１４が構成されている。 FIGS. 17A to 17C show an example in which the capacitive pointing device according to the present invention is mounted on a small portable device. FIG. 17A shows a cellular phone 61 provided with a 5WAY switch as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C show an example in which the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device 10 ′ provided is installed, and FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C show that the electrostatic capacitance type pointing device 10 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. An example is shown. In FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C, the operation surface 14 is comprised by the surface of the housing | casing 64 and 65, respectively.
　図１８Ａ～図１８Ｃは携帯電話機における操作例を示したものであり、図１８Ａは従来の５ＷＡＹスイッチ６６が搭載されている携帯電話機６１における操作例を示し、図１８Ｂ、図１８Ｃはこの発明による５ＷＡＹスイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０’が搭載された携帯電話機６１における操作例を示す。図１８Ａ～図１８Ｃ中、６７は表示器を示す。 18A to 18C show an example of operation in a mobile phone, FIG. 18A shows an example of operation in a mobile phone 61 equipped with a conventional 5WAY switch 66, and FIGS. 18B and 18C show 5WAY according to the present invention. An operation example of the mobile phone 61 on which the capacitive pointing device 10 ′ having a switch is mounted is shown. In FIGS. 18A to 18C, reference numeral 67 denotes a display.
　図１８Ａに例示したように、従来の５ＷＡＹスイッチ６６ではその４方向キーの操作によりカーソルを上下左右に移動させるものであったのに対し、この発明による静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０’によれば、図１８Ｂに示したように操作面１４をタッチしてカーソルを移動させたい方向に移動させることができ、また操作面１４を撫でることにより図１８Ｃに示したようなカーソル操作を行うことができる。従って、このような５ＷＡＹスイッチを備えた静電容量式ポインティングデバイス１０’によれば、従来の５ＷＡＹスイッチがもつ機能に加え、フリーカーソルなどの機能を追加することが可能となる。
  As illustrated in FIG. 18A, in the conventional 5WAY switch 66, the cursor is moved up and down and left and right by the operation of the four-way key, but according to the capacitive pointing device 10 ′ according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18B, the operation surface 14 can be touched to move the cursor in a desired direction, and the operation of the cursor can be performed as shown in FIG. 18C by stroking the operation surface 14. . Therefore, according to the electrostatic capacity type pointing device 10 ′ having such a 5WAY switch, it is possible to add a function such as a free cursor in addition to the function of the conventional 5WAY switch.

Claims (9)

  1. 　ｘ座標を検出する列電極と、ｙ座標を検出する行電極とが互いに独立して配列形成されたセンサ基板と、
    　そのセンサ基板上に、前記行電極及び列電極が配列形成されている領域を覆うように配置され、上面が操作面とされる絶縁体と、
    　前記操作面に設けられた触覚により認識可能な操作基準とを備え、
    　前記領域は前記操作基準より大とされ、前記領域の中心に前記操作基準が位置している静電容量式ポインティングデバイス。     a sensor substrate in which column electrodes for detecting x-coordinates and row electrodes for detecting y-coordinates are arranged independently of each other;
    On the sensor substrate, an insulator is disposed so as to cover a region where the row electrode and the column electrode are arranged, and an upper surface is an operation surface;
    An operation standard recognizable by tactile sensation provided on the operation surface,
    The capacitive pointing device, wherein the area is larger than the operation reference, and the operation reference is located at the center of the area.
  2. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準が半球状の突起とされている。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    The operation reference is a hemispherical protrusion.
  3. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準が凹みとされている。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    The operation standard is a depression.
  4. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準がリング状をなすリブとされている。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    The operation reference is a ring-shaped rib.
  5. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準がリング状の溝とされている。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    The operation reference is a ring-shaped groove.
  6. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準を押下することで操作されるスイッチが前記センサ基板の下側に配置されている。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    A switch that is operated by pressing the operation reference is disposed on the lower side of the sensor substrate.
  7. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準が前記絶縁体と別体とされている。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    The operation standard is separate from the insulator.
  8. 　請求項１の静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記絶縁体は前記操作基準が存在する部分とその回りの部分とが別体とされる。     The capacitive pointing device of claim 1,
    In the insulator, a portion where the operation reference exists and a portion around it are separated.
  9. 　請求項１乃至８のいずれかの静電容量式ポインティングデバイスにおいて、
    　前記操作基準の回りの前記操作面を押下することで操作される周辺スイッチが前記センサ基板の下側に配置されている。     The capacitive pointing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
    A peripheral switch operated by depressing the operation surface around the operation reference is disposed below the sensor substrate.
PCT/JP2009/058388 2008-05-15 2009-04-28 Electrostatic capacitance-type pointing device WO2009139297A1 (en)

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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08163392A (en) * 1994-12-08 1996-06-21 Sony Corp Remote commander

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JP4802724B2 (en) * 2006-01-18 2011-10-26 パナソニック株式会社 Input device
US7889176B2 (en) * 2006-07-18 2011-02-15 Avago Technologies General Ip (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Capacitive sensing in displacement type pointing devices

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08163392A (en) * 1994-12-08 1996-06-21 Sony Corp Remote commander

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